Kedah Sets Ambitious Goal of 7 Million Tourists in 2025, Emphasizes Culture and Heritage
Kedah is aiming to welcome 7 million tourists in 2025, a 35% increase from the 5.2 million visitors recorded last year, according to Kedah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor. The initiative aligns with the official Visit Kedah Year and leverages the state’s rich cultural and natural assets.
The state government has identified five core pillars to elevate Kedah’s tourism appeal: natural resources, cuisine, arts, culture, and heritage. These elements will serve as the foundation for attracting both domestic and international travelers.
Sanusi emphasized the significant economic potential of cultural tourism, noting that local arts and heritage have now been integrated into Kedah’s tourism product development strategy. This initiative is in line with the state’s Kedah Development Blueprint 2035, which aims to preserve and promote the region’s cultural legacy.
“Reviving traditional culture in an age of modernization is challenging, but the state remains committed to supporting local arts and raising public interest in cultural preservation,” the Chief Minister stated in his speech, which was read on his behalf by Datuk Mohd Salleh Saidin, Chairman of the Kedah State Tourism, Culture, Arts, and Entrepreneur Committee.
The announcement was made during the opening ceremony of the 2025 Temasya Oghang Kedah (TOK 2025) Carnival, held at Darul Aman Stadium on August 2. The four-day event, running from July 31 to August 3, is one of the flagship programs for Visit Kedah Year. The ceremony was officiated by Kedah Crown Prince Tunku Shazuddin Ariff and attended by Datuk Mohd Yusri, Deputy Secretary-General (Culture) of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC).
Datuk Mohd Yusri highlighted that this year’s edition of the carnival—Kedah’s second—features expanded programming and is expected to draw over 500,000 visitors, a 25% increase from the previous year’s attendance.
The 2025 carnival introduces a wide array of attractions, including Kedah Berselawat 2.0, a cultural discovery competition, and the Fantastic Food Festival, which showcases 120 influencer-led food stalls and 25 well-known digital creators.
Key cultural showcases include Gerak Gempita, a fusion performance blending Malay martial arts (silat), traditional music, and multi-ethnic dance. In a highlight performance, 2,000 members from the Pusaka Gayong martial arts organization will demonstrate the Jurus Bunga Teratai routine.
Other program features include the silent theater performance Perang Musuh Berbisik and the iconic Cinta Sayang dance, reflecting the inclusive spirit of Kedah’s multicultural heritage. Additionally, the Sound of Kedah concert will debut innovative works that incorporate elements from traditional Mek Mulung theater.
Through this robust lineup of cultural and artistic programming, Kedah is positioning itself as a leading destination for immersive heritage tourism in Malaysia.