PENANG, 20 December 2024 - In
a splendid display of appreciation, Tourism Malaysia hosts the Tourism Malaysia
Social Media Spotlights, held from 19-21 December 2024, honouring the pivotal
role of social media in promoting Malaysia as a top travel destination. The
event celebrates the incredible contributions of social media influencers,
content creators, and digital industry collaborators who are instrumental in
showcasing Malaysia’s vibrant tourism offerings to a global audience.
Participants embarked on a
curated journey through Penang, experiencing iconic landmarks such as The TOP,
Penang War Museum, and a variety of delectable gastronomical delights such as
the Nyonya cuisine at Nyonya Chiak hosted by Penang Global Tourism. The
highlight of the event is the “Malam Pesta Muda Mudi” – an appreciation dinner
held on 20 December at the Peranakan-inspired hotel at Iconic Marjorie in Bayan
Lepas, followed by the heritage city tour around George Town, a UNESCO World
Heritage Site.
The event also marked the
official launch of the #MYTravelNation
initiative, a dynamic community that unites local and international social
media practitioners to inspire and engage global travellers, inviting them to
explore the unique wonders of Malaysia. The #MYTravelNation
community will be crucial in amplifying awareness and excitement for Malaysia’s
diverse travel experiences in gearing up for Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026).
Speaking at the event, Datuk
Manoharan Periasamy, Director General of Tourism Malaysia, emphasised the
critical role of creativity and social media in driving growth and promotion
within the tourism sector to achieve the target of welcoming 35.6 million international
tourist arrivals and RM147.1 billion in tourism receipts in 2026.
“The success of #MYTravelNation
and our goals for VM2026 is a shared responsibility. With the synergy between
social media influencers and key digital industry partners like Canon, TikTok,
and others, as well as the tourism industry players as a whole, we are
empowering the world to discover the beauty and wonders of Malaysia, making it
a must-visit destination for every traveller,” said Datuk Manoharan.