Johor to impose RM3 hotel tax from Jan. 1, 2026 for overnight visitors

Overnight visitors to Johor can expect to pay at least RM3 (S$0.95) more for their trip starting Jan. 1, 2026, as the local government has announced plans to impose a hotel tax.

Fees collected will be used to improve public facilities

The charge is enabled under Johor's Hotel Enactment 2025, which also provides stronger enforcement powers against unlicensed hotels and establishments that fail to comply with safety requirements, MalayMail reported.

Charges collected will be channelled into a special trust account that will fund improvements in public facilities, tourism infrastructure, and initiatives for "Visit Johor Year", Johor's housing and local government committee chairman Mohd Jafni Md Shukor said, Bernama wrote.

The committee chairman expressed hopes that the implementation of the law will also contribute to the progressive development of Johor's tourism industry.

Jarod Chia, Chairman of the Malaysia Budget and Business Hotel Association's Johor Chapter, said in a statement that it is in the midst of seeking clarification from Tourism Johor on the specifics of the tax.

This includes the types of accommodation and travellers to whom the tax will apply.

Similar fees are already in place in other Malaysian states such as Melaka, Pahang, Perak, Penang and Kedah.

Selangor will also be imposing a charge on travellers beginning Jan. 1 by collecting a sustainability fee that ranges from RM2 (S$0.63) to RM7 (S$2.20), depending on accommodation type, Free Malaysia Today reported.

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