Creating Destination

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Creating Destinations

The East Coast Economic Region (ECER) is home to some of Malaysia’s most captivating natural landscapes, cultural heritage, and coastal attractions. Under the ECER Development Plan (EDP) 2026–2030, the Creating Destinations thrust is designed to elevate these strengths into a world-class, sustainable tourism network that drives regional and national growth.

Guided by the principles of sustainability and inclusivity, this thrust aims to transform ECER into a premier nature, culture, and lifestyle tourism destination, attracting high-value visitors while creating opportunities for local communities.

Through this thrust, ECERDC seeks to unlock the tourism potential of Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang, and Johor by promoting high-impact, private-led developments that balance conservation with economic growth.

The strategy focuses on enhancing tourism infrastructure, improving accessibility, and diversifying experiences across eco-tourism, cultural and heritage tourism, rail tourism, and lifestyle tourism. By 2030, the initiative is projected to generate RM8 billion in GDP contribution and catalyse widespread socio-economic development across the region.

Discover how ECERDC’s tourism initiatives unlock high-value investment opportunities and deliver sustainable economic benefits for local communities, focusing on four strategic areas of development.

Sustainable Island Tourism

The Sustainable Island Tourism initiative transforms ECER’s islands such as Pulau Redang, Pulau Perhentian, Pulau Kapas, and Pulau Tioman into world-class eco-tourism destinations that balance responsible development with marine conservation and community empowerment.

ECER Scenic Route for Recreational Vehicles (RV) Tourism

The “ECER Scenic Route” establishes a network of RV parks and facilities across Pahang, Terengganu, and Johor, offering travellers a distinctive coastal and nature-based road experience while stimulating rural tourism and local economies.

ECER Rail Tourism

ECER Rail Tourism turns the ECRL and KTMB corridors into cultural tourism routes, linking destinations through enhanced rail infrastructure and heritage attractions that highlight the East Coast’s identity and traditions.

International Hallmark Events

The International Hallmark Events initiative showcases ECER’s cultural richness and natural beauty through globally recognised festivals and sports events that elevate the region’s international profile and attract high-value visitors.

Together, these initiatives position ECER as a prime destination for tourism investment, supported by ECERDC’s facilitation and infrastructure development, and backed by strong market data that points to growing demand, longer-stay potential and high-value visitor segments.