Beginning 1st January 2026, Johor’s state government will impose a travel fee through a hotel tax, following other Malaysian states that levy taxes on tourists.
Johor’s Housing and Local Government chairman Jafni Shukor stated on 21st November that the RM3 fee will be imposed under Johor’s Hotel Enactment Bill and directed to a trust account to enhance public services and tourism infrastructure.
At this stage, it’s unclear if each individual gets charged each night.
According to Jafni, the ruling would also help local law enforcement officials check and close unregistered hotels or bed and breakfast establishments and make sure operators follow safety regulations.
In a statement on 23rd November, Jarod Chia, the head of the Malaysia Budget & Business Hotel Association’s (MyBHA) Johor chapter, stated that in order to properly administer the fee, the association is requesting clarification from the state agency Tourism Johor.
It seeks to provide clarification on matters including the kind of lodging that must collect the travel tax, the kinds of visitors who must pay the price, and the methods for collecting payments. He went on to say that MyBHA is dedicated to promoting tourism in the state and that it, along with the Malaysian Association of Hotels, that represents 327 licensed hotels in Johor.
Johor’s travel tax is similar to Selangor’s sustainability fee, which will be imposed on tourists starting on 1st January, and range from RM2 to RM7, depending on the kind of lodging.
