Overview
Tourism plays a vital role in the city's service-driven economy. The city is home to many renowned international hotel chains, including the historic Hotel Majestic. Kuala Lumpur is ranked as the sixth most visited city in the world, attracting 8.9 million tourists annually.
The city's cultural diversity, affordable prices, and diverse culinary and shopping options contribute to its popularity among tourists. In recent years, MICE tourism, particularly conventions, has seen significant growth and is expected to further expand with the implementation of the Malaysian government's Economic Transformation Programme and the completion of the new MATRADE Centre in 2014.
The MATRADE agency also owns the Malaysia International Trade And Exhibition Centre (MITEC), the largest trade and exhibition centre in Malaysia, located within the KL Metropolis development in Segambut. Additionally, there has been a noticeable increase in the presence of budget hotels in the city.
KUALA LUMPUR MAPS
Some of the major tourist attractions in Kuala Lumpur include the Petronas Twin Towers, Bukit Bintang shopping district, Kuala Lumpur Tower, Petaling Street (Chinatown), Merdeka Square, Kuala Lumpur railway station, House of Parliament building, National Palace (Istana Negara), National Planetarium, National Science Centre, National Art Gallery (Balai Seni Negara), National Theatre (Istana Budaya), National Museum, Royal Museum, National Textile Museum, Islamic Arts Museum, Telekom Museum, Royal Malaysian Police Museum, National Mosque of Malaysia (Masjid Negara), Federal Territory Mosque (Masjid Wilayah), Sultan Abdul Samad Building, DBKL City Theatre (Panggung Bandaraya), Medan Pasar, Central Market, KL Bird Park, KL Butterfly Park, Aquaria KLCC, Saloma Link (Pintasan Saloma), and the National Monument.
The city also boasts various religious sites, such as the Sultan Abdul Samad Jamek Mosque.