Malaysia: Indonesian medical travel revenue reaches record RM2.2 billion - Get updated on what's happening in tourism!

Indonesia has strengthened its position as Malaysia’s most important source market for medical travel. Healthcare travellers from the country generated a record RM2.2 billion in revenue for Malaysia in 2025, an increase of 24% compared with the previous year. Arrivals from Indonesia reached 968,000, up 16% year on year.

Against this backdrop, the Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC) returned to Yogyakarta with MHX Yogyakarta 2026. Held from 20 to 23 August at Pakuwon Mall Jogja, the four-day consumer event brought Malaysian hospitals and medical providers directly into contact with potential Indonesian patients.

Yogyakarta emerges as strategic market

MHTC sees Yogyakarta as an increasingly important market due to its well-educated population, growing demand for advanced specialist treatment and direct air connections with Kuala Lumpur.

“Indonesia has always been Malaysia Healthcare’s closest and most valued market, and Yogyakarta represents an exciting opportunity as healthcare awareness and demand for specialised treatments continue to grow,” said Rahmatullah Baragau, MHTC’s Head of Indonesia Market.

“Through MHX Yogyakarta 2026, we aim to strengthen public confidence in Malaysia Healthcare while bringing our trusted healthcare ecosystem closer to local communities.”

The event forms part of the Malaysia Year of Medical Tourism 2026 campaign, which is being promoted under the theme “Healing Meets Hospitality”.

19 hospitals present specialist services

A total of 19 Malaysian hospitals and specialist providers participated in Yogyakarta. Their services covered areas including cardiology, oncology, orthopaedics, fertility treatment, gastroenterology, eye care and health screening.

Participants included major institutions and hospital groups from Kuala Lumpur, Selangor and Penang, among them Institut Jantung Negara, Mahkota Medical Centre, Subang Jaya Medical Centre, Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur and Penang, as well as several Sunway Medical Centre locations.

Specialised providers focusing on fertility and ophthalmology were also represented, reflecting Malaysia’s effort to attract patients seeking treatments that go beyond general medical care.

Indonesian arrivals increase 16%

Indonesia remains Malaysia’s largest source market for international patients. In 2025, 968,000 healthcare travellers from Indonesia visited the country, representing growth of 16% compared with 2024.

Revenue expanded even faster. The 24% increase to RM2.2 billion indicates that growth was driven not only by a larger number of patients but also by higher average expenditure per healthcare traveller.

Based on the figures supplied by MHTC, average revenue per Indonesian healthcare traveller rose from roughly RM2,140 in 2024 to about RM2,270 in 2025.

Malaysia strengthens regional medical tourism links

MHX Yogyakarta is part of a broader MHTC strategy to establish long-term relationships with Indonesian communities, healthcare organisations and other local partners.

The initiative also supports Malaysia Year of Medical Tourism 2026, through which the country is seeking to strengthen its international position in medical tourism. For the Indonesian market in particular, geographical proximity and direct flight connections combine with access to specialist treatment to create a substantial cross-border healthcare market.

With almost one million Indonesian healthcare travellers recorded in 2025, the relationship has already developed into one of Southeast Asia’s largest medical travel flows.

Image Credit: © Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC)