JOHOR earned RM1,149 million from foreign tourists in the first six months of this year.

State tourism and domestic trade committee chairman Hoo Seong Chang said Johor's tourism revenue for the whole of this year is expected to exceed last year's.

In the first six months of last year, 7,018,282 foreign tourists visited Johor.

"For the same period this year, Johor received 7,351,710 visitors."

In his reply to Datuk Sulaiman Taha (BN-Tenang), he said based on the 4.7 per cent rise in tourist arrivals, tourism earnings this year were also likely to be higher.

"The single largest group this year came from Singapore, with 6,043,618 people.

"Then there were tourists from Indonesia (401,882), China (202,669) and the Philippines (118,215)."

Other tourists who visited the state included those from India, Japan, Thailand and the United Kingdom.

Cheong Chin Liang (BN-Bukit Batu) asked if the ministry kept a database on whether the tourists were repeat or one-off visitors.

"Is there a way to find out how often they visit?"

Hoo said although he did not have the information on hand, he was certain they had visited Johor more than once.

"I can say with confidence that they are repeat visitors."