Johor to impose travel charge in 2026
The fees collected will be used to fund tourism infrastructure improvements.
Starting 1 January 2026, the state government of Johor will implement a “Travel Charge” through the Johor Hotel Enactment 2025.
Datuk Mohd Jafni Md Shukor, chairman of the Johor Housing and Local Government Committee said that the collection of the Travel Charge will be put into a special trust account to fund improvements in public facilities, tourism infrastructure, and initiatives for Visit Johor Year.
In addition, the enactment will strengthen enforcement powers including investigation, inspection, closure of unlicensed hotels, and actions against any premises that failed to comply with safety requirements or obstructed enforcement officers.
“This approach is crucial to ensure that every hotel operates in an orderly manner, complies with standards, and maintains Johor’s image as a safe and quality tourism destination,” Mohd Jafni said.
“We are confident that the implementation of the Johor Hotel Enactment 2025 will elevate professionalism in the hospitality industry, enhance consumer safety, and increase the competitiveness of the state’s tourism sector sustainably,” he added.
Johor’s tourism sector welcomed 10.4 million hotel guests this year, according to official Tourism Malaysia statistics. This reflects an 8.5% increase year-on-year.
Other Malaysian states have also implemented tourism-related charges. For example, Melaka has a heritage charge and Pahang has a sustainability charge, Perak imposes a local service charge while Penang and Kedah collect hotel fees.
Datuk Mohd Jafni Md Shukor, chairman of the Johor Housing and Local Government Committee said that the collection of the Travel Charge will be put into a special trust account to fund improvements in public facilities, tourism infrastructure, and initiatives for Visit Johor Year.
In addition, the enactment will strengthen enforcement powers including investigation, inspection, closure of unlicensed hotels, and actions against any premises that failed to comply with safety requirements or obstructed enforcement officers.
“This approach is crucial to ensure that every hotel operates in an orderly manner, complies with standards, and maintains Johor’s image as a safe and quality tourism destination,” Mohd Jafni said.
“We are confident that the implementation of the Johor Hotel Enactment 2025 will elevate professionalism in the hospitality industry, enhance consumer safety, and increase the competitiveness of the state’s tourism sector sustainably,” he added.
Johor’s tourism sector welcomed 10.4 million hotel guests this year, according to official Tourism Malaysia statistics. This reflects an 8.5% increase year-on-year.
Other Malaysian states have also implemented tourism-related charges. For example, Melaka has a heritage charge and Pahang has a sustainability charge, Perak imposes a local service charge while Penang and Kedah collect hotel fees.
