KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysia is studying alternative transit routes and strengthening its focus on the Asian market to sustain tourist arrivals amid disruptions linked to tensions in the Middle East, the country's state-owned agency Bernama reported on Monday.

The report cited Deputy Secretary General (tourism) of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Chua Choon Hwa, that the conflict has affected key Middle East transit hubs traditionally used by long-haul travelers heading to the Asian region, prompting the government to assess other routing options to ensure stable visitor flows.

"Transit in the Middle East is currently somewhat disrupted, so we are looking at ways to overcome the situation, including using alternative transit airports to avoid affected areas," he said.

Chua said the government is also sharpening its focus on regional markets less exposed to the conflict, particularly within Asia, as part of a broader strategy to mitigate risks from global uncertainty.

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Despite the challenges, he noted that Malaysia's tourism outlook stays positive, with Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) targets remaining achievable.

According to him, Malaysia's tourist arrivals rose by more than 30 percent year-on-year in the first two months of 2026, supported by strong demand during the Chinese New Year period.

Data for March is still being compiled, and projections may be revised accordingly, he added.