Mohd Jafni (left) carrying out a working visit to Johor Zoo recently. The Johor Zoo is currently carrying out upgrading works as part of state government’s broader vision to position the zoo as a flagship tourism destination ahead of Visit Johor Year 2026.
With Visit Johor 2026 fast approaching, the state is investing heavily to revive zoo, heritage sites and public amenities
by YEE XIANG YUN and VENESA DEVI
In its bid to attract 12 million visitors during Visit Johor 2026 (VJ2026), the state has allocated more than RM115mil since 2024 to upgrade existing tourism products.
Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi, who has been tasked with overseeing the sector since last year, said the move was also part of the state government’s efforts to improve its tourism sector as a whole.
“We are taking steps to improve the tourism sector in Johor through a two-phase approach. The first is to upgrade existing tourism products and the second is to promote them.
“There is no point in spending millions to come up with new products when the ones we already have are not even fit for use. As such, we spent RM67.65 million last year to upgrade existing tourism products, and this year, we are spending another RM48.75 million for 18 tourism-related projects,” he told his fellow state assemblymen.
Onn Hafiz said this during the recent state assembly sitting, where the tourism sector, especially preparations for Visit Johor 2026, was among the issues taking centre stage.
“We are taking steps to improve the tourism sector in Johor through a two-phase approach," said Onn Hafiz.
Preparations in line with Visit Johor 2026
When responding to the enquiries, Onn Hafiz also listed some of the major tourism projects being carried out this year in preparation for Visit Johor 2026. Among the attractions highlighted by the Menteri Besar is the Johor Zoo, which is expected to open its night safari by the end of the year.
Johor housing and local government committee chairman Datuk Mohd Jafni Md Shukor, the exco in charge of the zoo, said a total of RM7mil had been approved for phase two of the zoo’s upgrades earlier this year.
“The reception has been exceptional since its reopening. Compared to the previous annual visitor average of 400,000, we are now seeing more than one million visitors a year on average.
“This also translates into revenue for the state, where we expect to see a huge jump from the previous RM1.5 million to about RM7 million per year.
“We aim to continuously improve the facilities to make the zoo a must-visit attraction in conjunction with VJ2026 and for Johor to become one of the main tourism destinations in the region,” said Mohd Jafni.
The zoo, located in Jalan Gertak Merah in the city, was first opened 97 years ago in 1928 by then-state ruler Almarhum Sultan Sir Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Sir Abu Bakar.
It reopened on Aug 31, 2024, after three years of closure to make way for major upgrades. Other state jewels mentioned by Onn Hafiz during the state assembly were the Sultan Abu Bakar Royal Museum and the Johor Royal Botanical Garden, which are both located within the grounds of Johor’s Istana Besar.
Though their official reopening hinges on the consent of His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia – also the Johor Sultan – preparations are underway with the goal of welcoming visitors for VJ2026.
When responding to the enquiries, Onn Hafiz also listed some of the major tourism projects being carried out this year in preparation for Visit Johor 2026. Among the attractions highlighted by the Menteri Besar is the Johor Zoo, which is expected to open its night safari by the end of the year.
Johor housing and local government committee chairman Datuk Mohd Jafni Md Shukor, the exco in charge of the zoo, said a total of RM7mil had been approved for phase two of the zoo’s upgrades earlier this year.
“The reception has been exceptional since its reopening. Compared to the previous annual visitor average of 400,000, we are now seeing more than one million visitors a year on average.
“This also translates into revenue for the state, where we expect to see a huge jump from the previous RM1.5 million to about RM7 million per year.
“We aim to continuously improve the facilities to make the zoo a must-visit attraction in conjunction with VJ2026 and for Johor to become one of the main tourism destinations in the region,” said Mohd Jafni.
The zoo, located in Jalan Gertak Merah in the city, was first opened 97 years ago in 1928 by then-state ruler Almarhum Sultan Sir Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Sir Abu Bakar.
It reopened on Aug 31, 2024, after three years of closure to make way for major upgrades. Other state jewels mentioned by Onn Hafiz during the state assembly were the Sultan Abu Bakar Royal Museum and the Johor Royal Botanical Garden, which are both located within the grounds of Johor’s Istana Besar.
Though their official reopening hinges on the consent of His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia – also the Johor Sultan – preparations are underway with the goal of welcoming visitors for VJ2026.
Other upgrading works
Onn Hafiz also recently shared a peek into the museum and botanical gardens on his Facebook page, noting that he and all the state exco members have personally inspected the upgrading project to ensure everything is running smoothly.
“The Royal Botanical Gardens is more than just a park. It is a symbol of the heritage and civilisation of the Johor Sultanate that must be preserved for today’s generation and those to come. A new entry point is also being constructed to link the gardens with the Johor Zoo next door, which is another iconic attraction,” he said, adding that once completed, the route will provide convenience and systematic visitor movement.
In preparation for the reopening, the state government has also drawn insights from other successful green tourism models, such as Perdana Botanical Gardens in Kuala Lumpur, in hopes of replicating its best practices and biodiversity conservation in Johor’s royal gardens.
Nestled in the heart of Johor Baru, the Istana Besar, which houses the two gems, is no ordinary building, having long stood as a majestic symbol of sovereignty and grandeur.
Almarhum Sultan Abu Bakar commissioned prominent Chinese contractor Wong Ah Fook to build the palace in Iskandar Puteri, as Johor Baru was known back then, following plans drawn up by a European architect.
An interesting detail about the palace’s construction was the use of Madras chunam plaster, made from shell lime mixed with egg whites and coarse sugar.
Completed in 1864, Istana Besar was officiated on Jan 1, 1866, coinciding with the renaming of Iskandar Puteri to Johor Baru. In 1990, Almarhum Sultan Iskandar decided to open the palace to the public, to allow the rakyat to view the splendour of the royal collection within.
He also instructed the setting up of a museum, which displays priceless treasures, royal heirlooms, rare artefacts, traditional weapons, trophies, antiques, jewellery, memorabilia, medals and decorations.
Historically, Istana Besar has been more than just a royal residence. It also formerly housed state government offices. Joining the list cited by the Menteri Besar was the Kompleks Warisan Sultan Abu Bakar, the cultural and heritage centre of Johor.
According to Johor unity, heritage and culture committee chairman K Raven Kumar, RM3.6mil has been allocated for its upgrade, which includes building a culinary gallery, a gift shop and a food court.
“The upgrading work is expected to be completed by December next year, allowing us to welcome the public when Visit Johor 2026 begins. Once it reopens, we will continue our Let’s Visit KWSAB initiative, which allows the public to learn more about the history, heritage, culture and arts of Johor through guided tours.
“On top of that, the public will also be able to enjoy traditional performances such as the zapin dance on a weekly basis. The performance, which will be held every weekend, is a new initiative we are taking as part of our effort to promote our culture and tradition,” he said, adding that upgrades also include providing special needs-friendly facilities.
The list continues with the upgrade of Bangunan Sultan Ibrahim.
“We are in the midst of upgrading the building with an RM3.1 million allocation and we aim to see its completion by August. Among other iconic projects is the RM6.65 million upgrade of Gunung Ledang, which is expected to be completed by September.
“The Royal Botanical Gardens is more than just a park. It is a symbol of the heritage and civilisation of the Johor Sultanate that must be preserved for today’s generation and those to come. A new entry point is also being constructed to link the gardens with the Johor Zoo next door, which is another iconic attraction,” he said, adding that once completed, the route will provide convenience and systematic visitor movement.
In preparation for the reopening, the state government has also drawn insights from other successful green tourism models, such as Perdana Botanical Gardens in Kuala Lumpur, in hopes of replicating its best practices and biodiversity conservation in Johor’s royal gardens.
Nestled in the heart of Johor Baru, the Istana Besar, which houses the two gems, is no ordinary building, having long stood as a majestic symbol of sovereignty and grandeur.
Almarhum Sultan Abu Bakar commissioned prominent Chinese contractor Wong Ah Fook to build the palace in Iskandar Puteri, as Johor Baru was known back then, following plans drawn up by a European architect.
An interesting detail about the palace’s construction was the use of Madras chunam plaster, made from shell lime mixed with egg whites and coarse sugar.
Completed in 1864, Istana Besar was officiated on Jan 1, 1866, coinciding with the renaming of Iskandar Puteri to Johor Baru. In 1990, Almarhum Sultan Iskandar decided to open the palace to the public, to allow the rakyat to view the splendour of the royal collection within.
He also instructed the setting up of a museum, which displays priceless treasures, royal heirlooms, rare artefacts, traditional weapons, trophies, antiques, jewellery, memorabilia, medals and decorations.
Historically, Istana Besar has been more than just a royal residence. It also formerly housed state government offices. Joining the list cited by the Menteri Besar was the Kompleks Warisan Sultan Abu Bakar, the cultural and heritage centre of Johor.
According to Johor unity, heritage and culture committee chairman K Raven Kumar, RM3.6mil has been allocated for its upgrade, which includes building a culinary gallery, a gift shop and a food court.
“The upgrading work is expected to be completed by December next year, allowing us to welcome the public when Visit Johor 2026 begins. Once it reopens, we will continue our Let’s Visit KWSAB initiative, which allows the public to learn more about the history, heritage, culture and arts of Johor through guided tours.
“On top of that, the public will also be able to enjoy traditional performances such as the zapin dance on a weekly basis. The performance, which will be held every weekend, is a new initiative we are taking as part of our effort to promote our culture and tradition,” he said, adding that upgrades also include providing special needs-friendly facilities.
The list continues with the upgrade of Bangunan Sultan Ibrahim.
“We are in the midst of upgrading the building with an RM3.1 million allocation and we aim to see its completion by August. Among other iconic projects is the RM6.65 million upgrade of Gunung Ledang, which is expected to be completed by September.
Tanjung Piai National Park in Pontian is a popular destination where visitors can spend the day exploring the rich biodiversity and learning about the vital role that mangrove trees play in the environment. It is also a perfect spot to simply enjoy the beauty of nature. — THOMAS YONG/The Star
Tourism campaigns in the works
“We are also spending RM3.3 million to upgrade Tanjung Piai National Park and expect to have it completed by October,” he said, adding that also being upgraded are public facilities at Hutan Bandar Johor Baru, Taman Merdeka, Danga Bay and Kampung Sungai Melayu.
On promotional efforts, the second phase of preparation for VJ2026, the Menteri Besar said ongoing initiatives include familiarisation trips, participation in domestic and international travel fairs, and launching tourism campaigns.
“We are also working with local councils to put up LED billboards at strategic locations statewide. We are placing our physical and digital promotional materials at airports, ferry and bus terminals, as well as collaborating with tourism platforms such as Agoda, TripAdvisor and Grab.
“The promotions are also being done through newspapers, travel magazines and television channels, as well as collaborations with social media influencers,” he said.
Onn Hafiz also listed some of the events that align with Visit Johor 2026, such as the Wonderful Nusantara Festival, Bangsa Johor Carnival, and the Johor Traditional Food Festival.
Meanwhile, Malaysian Tourist Guides Council president Jimmy Leong, who lauded the state government’s efforts, said that other areas also deserve some attention.
“It is good that the state government is ramping up efforts to upgrade these landmarks and facilities. I commend the Menteri Besar as he has successfully improved traffic flow at our land crossings with Singapore through his frequent impromptu visits.
“However, I also urge the state and federal governments to look at ways to improve existing regulations that are affecting the tourism industry. Among the pressing issues Leong highlighted was the growing number of multi-purpose vehicles (MPVs) carrying foreign passengers without having a licensed tour guide onboard.
“It is mandatory for tour vehicles to have a licensed tour guide if they have more than seven tourists on board, but that is not the case for those with seven or fewer visitors. This is a loophole that has been used for years by illegal tour operators who go as far as having their visitors sit in separate vehicles to avoid the need for licensed tour guides.
“This has robbed our licensed tour guides of opportunities meant for them, so much so that many have decided to leave the profession altogether,” he said.
He added that Johor risks losing capable and talented tour guides if the issues, which have been brewing for years, are not resolved.
“In fact, we are already seeing it now. The number of tour guides, especially those who can speak foreign languages, has been dwindling over the years. This is a huge problem as it will affect our ability to meet the demand of incoming tourists, especially with Visit Johor 2026 drawing closer,” he said.
He also noted the need to do away with outdated regulations that no longer fit current travel behaviours, as people prefer to make their bookings online.
“We are seeing a growth in the number of free independent tourists (FIT) who prefer to plan and book their own travel arrangements, as this gives them more flexibility. However, our current regulation with regard to foreign-registered tour buses does not reflect this change.
“Currently, Singapore bus operators are only allowed to promote and sell tour packages with full itineraries online but are prohibited from doing so for point-to-point services. This means that for those wanting to buy bus tickets to a specific location in Malaysia from Singapore, they have to buy them physically, making it difficult for FIT tourists to make their travel arrangements,” he said.
With Visit Johor 2026 coming in less than six months, Leong also urged the government to boost its promotional efforts.
“The promotional campaign should be a lot more aggressive by now, as we are just six months away from VJ2026. In fact, we should already be able to see promotional content displayed on billboards in many places,” he said.
“We are also spending RM3.3 million to upgrade Tanjung Piai National Park and expect to have it completed by October,” he said, adding that also being upgraded are public facilities at Hutan Bandar Johor Baru, Taman Merdeka, Danga Bay and Kampung Sungai Melayu.
On promotional efforts, the second phase of preparation for VJ2026, the Menteri Besar said ongoing initiatives include familiarisation trips, participation in domestic and international travel fairs, and launching tourism campaigns.
“We are also working with local councils to put up LED billboards at strategic locations statewide. We are placing our physical and digital promotional materials at airports, ferry and bus terminals, as well as collaborating with tourism platforms such as Agoda, TripAdvisor and Grab.
“The promotions are also being done through newspapers, travel magazines and television channels, as well as collaborations with social media influencers,” he said.
Onn Hafiz also listed some of the events that align with Visit Johor 2026, such as the Wonderful Nusantara Festival, Bangsa Johor Carnival, and the Johor Traditional Food Festival.
Meanwhile, Malaysian Tourist Guides Council president Jimmy Leong, who lauded the state government’s efforts, said that other areas also deserve some attention.
“It is good that the state government is ramping up efforts to upgrade these landmarks and facilities. I commend the Menteri Besar as he has successfully improved traffic flow at our land crossings with Singapore through his frequent impromptu visits.
“However, I also urge the state and federal governments to look at ways to improve existing regulations that are affecting the tourism industry. Among the pressing issues Leong highlighted was the growing number of multi-purpose vehicles (MPVs) carrying foreign passengers without having a licensed tour guide onboard.
“It is mandatory for tour vehicles to have a licensed tour guide if they have more than seven tourists on board, but that is not the case for those with seven or fewer visitors. This is a loophole that has been used for years by illegal tour operators who go as far as having their visitors sit in separate vehicles to avoid the need for licensed tour guides.
“This has robbed our licensed tour guides of opportunities meant for them, so much so that many have decided to leave the profession altogether,” he said.
He added that Johor risks losing capable and talented tour guides if the issues, which have been brewing for years, are not resolved.
“In fact, we are already seeing it now. The number of tour guides, especially those who can speak foreign languages, has been dwindling over the years. This is a huge problem as it will affect our ability to meet the demand of incoming tourists, especially with Visit Johor 2026 drawing closer,” he said.
He also noted the need to do away with outdated regulations that no longer fit current travel behaviours, as people prefer to make their bookings online.
“We are seeing a growth in the number of free independent tourists (FIT) who prefer to plan and book their own travel arrangements, as this gives them more flexibility. However, our current regulation with regard to foreign-registered tour buses does not reflect this change.
“Currently, Singapore bus operators are only allowed to promote and sell tour packages with full itineraries online but are prohibited from doing so for point-to-point services. This means that for those wanting to buy bus tickets to a specific location in Malaysia from Singapore, they have to buy them physically, making it difficult for FIT tourists to make their travel arrangements,” he said.
With Visit Johor 2026 coming in less than six months, Leong also urged the government to boost its promotional efforts.
“The promotional campaign should be a lot more aggressive by now, as we are just six months away from VJ2026. In fact, we should already be able to see promotional content displayed on billboards in many places,” he said.
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