Tourism Malaysia launches the Edu+ programme

Tourism Malaysia, an agency of the Malaysian Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, recently launched its much anticipated edutourism programme Edu+.

This initiative targets foreign students, especially those under the age of 16, who hold tourist visas to pursue short-term education programmes whilst vacationing in Malaysia. 

Developed in collaboration with the National Association of Private Educational Institutions (NAPEI), a well-established organisation with over 36 years of experience, Edu+ reflects the synergy between the tourism and education sectors to create unique learning opportunities.

Deputy minister Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan said: “As a country rich in diversity, history, arts and culture, Malaysia has great potential in this tourism segment where Edu+ is set to have a key role in attracting young tourists to explore the uniqueness of the country.”

Khan added that the ministry estimates that as many as 10,000 students will enrol in the programme this year, generating around RM50 million of income for Malaysia.

This initiative aligns with Malaysia’s broader tourism goals ahead of Visit Malaysia 2026, a national campaign aimed at drawing in 23.5 million tourists and RM147.1 billion in tourism receipts.

Also, Edu+ is poised to enhance the national tourism industry by indirectly driving Malaysia towards a preferred tourist destination in the region.

Who can avail of the programme and what does it entail?

The initiative is designed to promote cultural exchange, educational enrichment, and tourism growth between nations.

In its initial phase, the Edu+ programme focuses on the Japanese market, with plans to expand to other high-potential regions such as Korea, China, Russia, and Vietnam. 

Featuring a comprehensive model centred around learning English at educational institutions in Malaysia, the Edu+ programme encompasses various components, including education, cultural and heritage experiences, collaborations with local schools, homestay experiences, sports tourism learning, eco and nature experiences, and Sustainable Development Goals programmes.

Currently, 19 private educational institutions and eight travel agencies have committed to developing Edu+ packages under this programme.