Visit Johor Year Extended into 2027: What Visitors Should Know (and the RM3 Travel Charge)

The Short Version

Johor says it plans to extend Visit Johor Year 2026 into 2027. The full details are expected at the state's Budget 2027 presentation on 19 November, so nothing is final yet. Separately, a RM3 Travel Charge for overnight visitors was announced to start on 1 January 2026; the rules behind it were still vague in the reports we could read. We checked all sources on 11 November 2026.

What Was Reported About the Extension

• The plan: NST (26 October 2026) reports Johor "plans to extend Visit Johor Year 2026 into next year" after higher tourist arrivals this year.
• Timing of details: The Star (27 October 2026) says the Menteri Besar is expected to announce the details at the Johor Budget 2027 presentation scheduled for 19 November.
• Why: The Star quotes the reason as giving more time to promote tourism products, since most upgrading and construction works were completed only in the middle and second half of this year.
• Numbers: 4.7 million overnight visitors from January to June 2026, with Johor "on track" for its 12 million overnight-visitor goal for the year (The Star). NST gives the same 12 million target and an economic impact goal of RM42 billion.
• RTS Link: NST says it is scheduled to begin operations in February next year.

We did not find the actual extension announcement, dates or events list. Watch the 19 November budget coverage.

The RM3 Johor Travel Charge: What We Could Confirm

• Announced: Malay Mail (22 November 2025) says the state would implement a Travel Charge through the Johor Hotel Enactment 2025 from 1 January 2026, with the money going into a special trust account for public facilities, tourism infrastructure and Visit Johor Year initiatives.
• Amount: RM3, per The Iskandarian (25 November 2025) and VnExpress International (25 November 2025).

What We Could Not Confirm

• Per person or per night? Both November 2025 reports say it was unclear whether the RM3 applies per person, per night.
• Exemptions and night cap: not stated in any page we read.
• Which lodgings collect it: the reports say the hotel association was asking the state to clarify. We found no 2026 page that settles it, and none of the 2026 pages we read mention the charge.
• The separate federal tourism tax: this is a different charge. See our tourism tax guide.

Practical advice: when you book anywhere in Johor, ask the property whether any state or tourism charge is added on top of the room rate, and keep the receipt.

Practical Tips for Visitors

1. Expect more promotions and events around Johor in 2027 if the extension is confirmed, but wait for the 19 November details before planning around them.
2. If you are watching the RTS Link opening, read our RTS Link delay guide and plan the Causeway or bus as the fallback.
3. Year-end crossing tips: Causeway year-end school holidays.

Stay Near the Border at Pelangi Capsule Hostel

Pelangi Capsule Hostel is at 26A Jalan Perang, Taman Pelangi, Johor Bahru. A capsule is RM35 per night, and RM30 for the first night if you are a first-time guest booking direct on our website. Check-in is from 2:00 PM. We accept payment in MYR and SGD. Book direct, see rooms, or contact us.

FAQ

Is Visit Johor Year really extended to 2027?

It is planned, not final. NST and The Star report the plan; the details are expected at the 19 November budget presentation.

How much is the Johor Travel Charge?

RM3, according to reports from November 2025. Whether it is per person or per night was unclear in those reports.

Does the charge replace the RM10 tourism tax?

No. They are separate; see our tourism tax guide linked above.