All Star Influencers Award Records 3.8 Billion Digital Views Since Its Inception, Boosting Malaysia’s Tourism Promotion Through Digital Platforms

 

KUALA LUMPUR, 18 October 2026 – The All Star Influencers Award (ASIA) 2026 has recorded a cumulative 3.8 billion digital views since its inception in 2023, highlighting the potential of digital platforms in promoting Malaysia’s tourism destinations to international audiences.

In collaboration with Tourism Malaysia, this year’s programme brought together 110 influencers from 20 countries to support the Visit Malaysia 2026–2027 campaign. As part of the initiative, familiarisation trips (fam trips) were organised to bring KOLs and influencers to explore various tourism destinations across Malaysia, showcasing the country’s unique culture, diverse attractions and local cuisine through social media content.

The highlight of ASIA2026 was the recognition of outstanding international influencers across 13 award categories. Indonesia’s Dinda Anwar won the Best Influencer Award, receiving USD10,000 and a trophy. She also won the Best Culture Curator category, earning an additional USD1,000 and a trophy.

Pakistan’s Zulqarnain secured second place, receiving USD5,000 and a trophy, while Vietnam’s Duc Koi placed third, taking home USD3,000 and a trophy. The prizes were presented by ASIA founder Dato’ Abd Rahman Soltan and Tourism Malaysia Director-General, Mr. Mohd Amirul Rizal Abdul Rahim. Also in attendance, Deputy Director General (Promotions) & Head of Secretariat Visit Malaysia 2026-2027, Mohd Akbal Bin Setia; Senior Director of the Domestic & Events Division of Tourism Malaysia, Mohd Roslan Bin Abdullah; and Director of the Advertising and Digital Division of Tourism Malaysia, Mohd Izal Bin Mahd Nor.

The participating influencers represented countries including Japan, South Korea, Bahrain, Taiwan, India, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Cambodia, Thailand, Russia, the Philippines, Saudi Arabia and Indonesia, among others. The fam trips covered destinations across Johor, Negeri Sembilan, Perak, Kuala Lumpur, Terengganu, Pahang, Langkawi, Penang and Sabah, providing opportunities for international influencers to experience Malaysia’s tourism offerings and share them with global audiences.

With 3.8 billion digital views accumulated since 2023, ASIA continues to demonstrate the potential of influencer marketing in expanding Malaysia’s international reach and strengthening tourism promotion through digital platforms.

-Tourism Malaysia.

Tourism Malaysia Strengthens Promotional Efforts Through Sales Mission To China 2026

 

BEIJING — Tourism Malaysia continues to strengthen Malaysia’s presence in the Chinese market through the second series of its Sales Mission to China 2026, taking place from 12 to 19 October 2026. The mission covers four strategic cities in northern and eastern China, including Beijing, Zhengzhou, Wuxi and Jinan. Beijing marks the first stop, with engagements aimed at strengthening industry partnerships and promoting Malaysia as a preferred destination for Chinese travellers. 

The delegation is led by Mr Lee Thai Hung, Deputy Director General (Promotions II), Tourism Malaysia. Also present are key state representatives, including YB Loh Sze Yee, Perak Executive Councillor; Mr Suhaimi Abu Hassan Shari, Chief Executive Officer of Tourism Perak; and Ms Chua Yee Ling, Chief Executive Officer of Tourism Selangor. 

The mission is further strengthened by the participation of 72 organisations representing the Malaysian tourism industry, including the Langkawi Development Authority (LADA), Labuan Corporation, Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H), Malaysia Convention and Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB) and National Association of Private Educational Institutions (NAPEI), as well as various hotels, travel agencies, and tourism product owners. 

Mr Mohd Amirul Rizal Abdul Rahim, Director General of Tourism Malaysia, noted, “China remains Malaysia’s second largest source market for international visitor arrivals, underscoring its strategic importance to the country’s tourism industry. In line with the Visit Malaysia 2026–2027 (VM2026–2027) campaign, this sales mission aims to strengthen industry collaboration, enhance air connectivity, and maintain accessibility to Malaysia amid ongoing geopolitical uncertainties, while reinforcing Malaysia’s position as a preferred destination for the Chinese market.” 

The sales mission includes business-to-business (B2B) meetings, networking sessions, and industry engagements with China’s travel trade partners to strengthen relationships and appreciate their continued support. The sales mission is expected to strengthen partnerships with China’s travel trade, generate new business opportunities, and support higher visitor arrivals from China. Through closer industry collaboration and improved market access, Tourism Malaysia aims to reinforce Malaysia’s position as a leading travel destination among Chinese travellers in support of VM2026–2027. 

Furthermore, Tourism Malaysia and the Wuxi Municipal Bureau of Culture, Radio, Television and Tourism will formalise their strategic partnership through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Wuxi, the third stop of the sales mission. The MOU aims to strengthen tourism cooperation, promote two-way visitor exchanges, support joint promotional activities and facilitate the development of distinctive tourism products and travel itineraries. 

Meanwhile, the Langkawi Development Authority (LADA) continues to strengthen Langkawi’s presence in the Chinese market through the launch of Naturally Langkawi on Xiaohongshu (REDnote). The initiative showcases the island’s attractions and experiences through engaging visuals, authentic recommendations and travel stories, inspiring more Chinese travellers to discover Langkawi. 

From January to August 2026, Malaysia recorded 3.7 million visitor arrivals from China, a 13.4 per cent increase from 3.3 million in the same period last year. As of August 2026, air connectivity between Malaysia and China remains strong despite ongoing geopolitical uncertainties, with approximately 750 weekly flights offering a total capacity of 145,991 seats across more than 30 cities. 

By strengthening engagement across key Chinese cities, Tourism Malaysia aims to encourage repeat visits and increase tourism spending among Chinese travellers. Tourism Malaysia also expresses its sincere appreciation to all industry partners and stakeholders for their continued support in promoting Malaysia as a premier travel destination and welcoming more Chinese travellers to experience the country’s diverse attractions, filled with Surreal Experiences.

-Tourism Malaysia.

Perpatih Fest 2026 @ Muzium Negeri, Seremban, Negeri Sembilan ( 30 Oktober ~ 1 November 2026 )

 

Jom Waghih, Kito Gegarkan Perpatih Fest 2026!

Adat dijaga, warisan terpelihara

3 Hari, 1 Festival, Macam-Macam Ado!

Dari persembahan kebudayaan, permainan tradisional, pertandingan busana hinggalah ke Konsert Malam Gala!

Tarikh: 30 Oktober – 1 November 2026

Masa: 9.00 pagi – 11.00 malam

Lokasi: Muzium Negeri, Seremban

Moh kito meriahkan Perpatih Fest 2026!

-Visit Negeri Sembilan.

National-Level ASEAN Tourism Standards Awards Ceremony 2026

 

PUTRAJAYA, 15 October 2026 – YBhg. Dato’ Shaharuddin bin Abu Sohot, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC), officiated the National-Level ASEAN Tourism Standards Awards Ceremony 2026, held at MOTAC, Putrajaya.

The ceremony was also attended by YBhg. Datuk Surrendren Sathasivam, Deputy Secretary-General (Management); YBhg. Dato’ Mohd Yusri bin Mohd Yusoff, Deputy Secretary-General (Culture); YBrs. Encik Mohd Amirul Rizal bin Abdul Rahim, Director General of Tourism Malaysia; and YBrs. Dr. Norwan bin Ahmad, Undersecretary of the Industry Development Division, alongside distinguished guests and award recipients.

A total of 41 recipients were honoured during the ceremony in recognition of their commitment and achievements in meeting ASEAN tourism standards. This recognition reflects the industry's continuous efforts to uphold excellence and strengthen the competitiveness of Malaysia's tourism sector.

The ASEAN Tourism Standards emphasise the importance of enhancing quality, cleanliness and safety across tourism products and services, while strengthening professionalism and competitiveness within the industry. They also promote environmental sustainability, empower local communities and encourage continuous improvement through innovation, technology adoption and workforce development, further reinforcing Malaysia's position as a high-quality, sustainable and competitive tourism destination.

-Tourism Malaysia.

PICC receive recognition as the PICC meets the certification requirements of the ASEAN MICE Venue Standard (Exhibition Venue) for the "Peringkat Kebangsaan" 2026–2028

 

A Proud Achievement for PICC!

We are truly honoured and grateful to receive recognition from the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC), as the PICC meets the certification requirements of the ASEAN MICE Venue Standard (Exhibition Venue) for the "Peringkat Kebangsaan" 2026–2028.

This achievement reflects our commitment to maintaining high standards in venue facilities and services while supporting Malaysia’s growing MICE industry. We extend our sincere appreciation to MOTAC, our valued partners, stakeholders and the entire PICC team for their continuous trust and support.

This recognition inspires us to strive for greater excellence, continuously improve our services and deliver better experiences for every event and client we serve.

Committed to Excellence, Driven by Continuous Improvement.

-Putrajaya International Convention Centre.

Malaysia Airlines wins two accolades at 2026 World Mice Awards

 

At the recently held 2026 World Mice Awards, Malaysia Airlines was named World’s Best Mice Airline and Asia’s Best Mice Airline. 

This marks the airline’s first wins in both categories, which recognise its role in serving the international meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) segment. 

“This recognition is an important milestone for Malaysia Airlines, and one we look to build on as we continue to enhance our offering and strengthen our relationships with travel trade partners,” Bryan Foong, CEO of Airline Business from Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG), said a press statement. 

Foong added that they will continue to focus on “…building partner confidence, deepening collaboration and delivering sustainable growth for the airline”.

Aside from these recent wins, MAG has previously received several other awards. 

These include Prestige Recognition for Top CX Performance at the Contact Centre Association of Malaysia Industry Excellence Awards 2026, for its Global Contact Centre; The Best Brand Chosen by Consumers 2026 by JoongAng Ilbo in South Korea, for Malaysia Airlines in the Airline Category; and Outstanding Airline Brand of the Year at the Business Focus Awards 2026 in Hong Kong. 

MAG also won Best Airline Staff in Asia and World’s Best Airline Cabin Crew at the 2026 Skytrax World Airline Awards.

These support MAG’s Long-Term Business Plan 3.0, which aims for Malaysia Airlines to become among the Top 10 Global Airlines by 2030.

-thestar online.

Anantara Desaru Coast taps into new karting attraction

 

Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas is positioning its family and outdoor activities alongside a new karting circuit scheduled to open at Desaru Coast by the end of 2026. 

The 10 million ringgit (US$2.4 million) circuit will form part of The Sports Arina at Riverside, an integrated sports and leisure development. It will feature a competition karting track, karts, electronic timing and an air-conditioned circuit for children aged four to 12. 

Guests at Anantara Desaru Coast can combine karting with activities at the resort, including guided nature walks, cycling, kayaking and beach activities. 

The resort also offers a Mangroves by Firefly Light Eco Tour along the Lebam River, which includes a private evening firefly excursion and picnic. Younger guests have access to Layang Layang Kids Club, while Luncur Ombak Active Zone caters to older children and teenagers. 

Golf is available at the neighbouring Els Club Malaysia, which has the 27-hole Ocean Course, designed by Ernie Els, and the 18-hole Valley Course, designed by Vijay Singh. 

The resort is also offering an Ultimate Golfing Getaway package that includes breakfast, dinner and a round of golf at The Els Club Malaysia.

-TTG Asia.

Langkawi targets China market through four-city roadshow

 

The Langkawi Development Authority (LADA) is stepping up efforts to attract Chinese travellers through a four-city roadshow from October 12 to 19, alongside the launch of its official Naturally Langkawi account on Xiaohongshu. 

Held as part of the Tourism Malaysia Sales Mission to China, the roadshow covers Beijing, Zhengzhou, Wuxi and Jinan. It aims to strengthen ties with the Chinese travel trade and raise awareness of Langkawi among travellers.  

The Xiaohongshu account will feature the island’s landscapes, cultural heritage and tourism experiences, supporting LADA’s Feel Again campaign to position Langkawi beyond its traditional sun-and-sea offering. Content will cover its UNESCO Global Geopark heritage, beaches, wildlife and local experiences. 

LADA said the account would also feature travel information and stories from across the island. 

The account was launched in Beijing on October 12 by Samuel Lee Thai Hung, deputy director-general of Tourism Malaysia; Waffa Wahida Zainol, tourism manager of LADA; and Angie Ng, president of the Malaysian Inbound Chinese Association. 

“China remains an important market for Langkawi, and this roadshow provides a valuable opportunity for us to strengthen our relationships with the travel trade across key cities while bringing the Naturally Langkawi story directly to Chinese travellers,” said Waffa in a press release. 

“Through Xiaohongshu, we are able to share Langkawi in a way that reflects how today’s travellers discover and experience places through visual stories, authentic recommendations and experiences worth remembering,” she added.

-TTG Asia.

Malaysia boosts tourism connectivity, infrastructure in 2027 budget

 

Malaysia has allocated 935 million ringgit (US$222 million) for tourism and culture in 2027, with measures to improve international connectivity, upgrade tourism facilities and support events as the Visit Malaysia campaign continues into next year. 

Prime minister Anwar Ibrahim outlined the allocation when tabling Budget 2027 in parliament on October 9. 

The International and Charter Flight Matching Grant will support new direct flight routes from China, India, Central Asia and Europe. The grant will also cover cruise ships, ferries and tour buses bringing international tourists to Malaysia. 

Planned tourism facility upgrades include jetty infrastructure and heritage sites with potential for UNESCO recognition, including Danum Valley in Sabah, Lembah Bujang in Kedah and Taman Negara in Pahang. Grants will also be available to industry players organising and promoting tourism events. 

Separately, the government and Malaysia Airports Holdings will provide 1.1 billion ringgit to upgrade roads in port areas and at airports in Kota Kinabalu, Miri, Tawau, Sandakan and Penang, as well as short take-off and landing facilities in Long Banga and Ba’Kelalan, Sarawak. 

Other measures include raising the duty-free purchase limit for visitors to Langkawi and Labuan to 10,000 ringgit, subject to a minimum stay of 48 hours. More products made in Langkawi will be exempt from import duty, while QR payment facilities will be expanded to 15 locations, including resort islands. 

Rebates will be provided to organisers of events at venues with a capacity for at least 10,000 spectators. Tax incentives for incentive travel, international conferences and trade exhibitions will be extended until the year of assessment 2030. 

The budget also provides for a cultural festival in conjunction with the 2027 SEA Games and support for heritage practitioners working in handicrafts, weaving and batik. Separately, the Ecological Fiscal Transfer fund will increase to 270 million ringgit to support conservation, community-based economic activities and ecotourism. 

The budget’s emphasis on connectivity also drew a response from Trip.com Malaysia, which said improved access would need to be matched by destination experiences and easier navigation. 

Stephane Thong, the platform’s general manager, said travel decisions were increasingly being made online before departure. 

“A destination with strong connectivity alongside diverse attractions and experiences, while being easy to navigate and explore, has a real advantage, whatever its size,” he said. 

Industry leaders said the allocation should deliver measurable economic returns rather than focus solely on visitor numbers. 

Nigel Wong, president of the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents, called for targeted international promotion and market diversification to attract higher-spending visitors who stay longer. He also urged greater support for small and medium-sized tourism operators through digitalisation, AI adoption, product development and skills training. 

“The government should prioritise tourism infrastructure, connectivity and destination development, with clear key performance indicators to measure returns on public investment. Every ringgit spent should generate economic benefits that flow down to local communities, businesses and workers,” Wong said. 

Sri Ganesh Michiel, president of the Malaysian Tourism Federation and national president of the Malaysia Budget & Business Hotel Association, said grants and promotional opportunities should be accessible to smaller operators. He also called for stronger enforcement against unlicensed short-term rental accommodation and measures to address rising operating costs for licensed tourism businesses. 

“Malaysia does not simply need more tourists. We need a stronger, better-regulated and sustainable tourism ecosystem that creates real economic value for the entire industry,” he said.

-TTG Asia.

Tourism Malaysia Strengthens Tourism Ties With Jilin Province, China

 

PUTRAJAYA, 13 October 2026 – The Director General of Tourism Malaysia, Mr. Mohd Amirul Rizal Abdul Rahim, accompanied by Ms. Noriah Jaafar, Senior Deputy Director, International Promotion Division (Asia & Africa), received a courtesy visit from a delegation from Jilin Province, China.

The delegation was led by Mr. Sun Guangzhi, Director of the Jilin Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism, accompanied by Mr. Fan Min, Director of the International and Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan Affairs Division, and other delegation members.

The meeting focused on tourism exchanges between Malaysia and Jilin Province, including tourist arrivals and potential collaboration in promoting tourism attractions in both destinations.

During the discussion, the Jilin delegation highlighted the province's unique tourism experiences across all four seasons. The Director General welcomed the exchange of insights and expressed interest in exploring future tourism promotional initiatives in Jilin Province.

The visit reflects Tourism Malaysia's continued commitment to strengthening tourism cooperation and fostering closer ties between Malaysia and China.

-Tourism Malaysia.

VM2026 Hunt & Explore Media Race 2026 Highlights Sandakan As A Tourism Destination, Driving Visitor Engagement

 

SANDAKAN – Tourism Malaysia today, through its Sabah office successfully hosted the Visit Malaysia 2026 Hunt & Explore Media Race 2026 to showcase Sandakan’s diverse eco-tourism, cultural, and heritage attractions across media and digital channels.

Aimed at positioning Sandakan as a premier destination on Sabah’s east coast, the programme encouraged participants to explore and experience its unique attractions while sharing their journey with the mass audiences. The programme recorded a total of 121 participants from 31 teams, representing media, influencer and open categories.

Witnessed by Mr. Khairul Amir Anuar, Deputy Director of Tourism Malaysia Sabah, the race flag-off ceremony was officiated by YB Datuk Jafry Haji Ariffin, the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment Sabah at 7.30 a.m. before the participants headed off to their journey in Sandakan.

Throughout the day, participants faced various challenges such as interactive photo hunts, scavenger hunts and race tasks, designed to showcase key ecological and historic landmarks. The route covered key destinations across wildlife, nature, heritage, culture and local experiences, including the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC), Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre (SORC), Rainforest Discovery Centre (RDC), Masjid Jamek Sandakan, One Hundred Steps, Agnes Keith House, St. Michael & All Angels Church, Puh Jih Shih Temple, Sandakan Market and San De Gan Café.

-Tourism Malaysia.

Tourism Malaysia And Alipay+ Partner To Accelerate Malaysia’s Digital Tourism Transformation

 

KUALA LUMPUR – Tourism Malaysia and Alipay+, the unified wallet gateway of Ant International, today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to accelerate cross-border commerce and digitalise merchant engagement across Malaysia's tourism economy.

As Malaysia welcomes visitors for Visit Malaysia 2026–2027 (VM2026–2027), this partnership merges Tourism Malaysia’s destination marketing with Alipay+’s global wallet ecosystem and AI capabilities. It aims to create a highly intelligent digital journey, connecting international travellers directly with local operators as well as Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), strategically distributing visitor spending beyond major hubs to support the broader economic goals of VM2026–2027.

-Tourism Malaysia.

Inaugural Flight From Haikou, China To Penang By Hainan Airlines

 

PENANG, 11 October 2026 | Tourism Malaysia welcomed the inaugural arrival of Hainan Airlines flight HU477 from Haikou, Hainan, China, at Penang International Airport at 8.45 p.m.

The service, operated by a Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft with a seating capacity of 110 passengers, establishes direct air connectivity between Haikou and Penang. Operating twice weekly on Wednesdays and Sundays, the route is expected to enhance tourism accessibility and attract more visitors from Hainan and surrounding regions to Penang and Northern Malaysia.

The welcoming ceremony was attended by YB Wong Hon Wai, Penang State EXCO for Tourism and Creative Economy; Mdm. Nuwal Fadhilah Ku Azmi, Senior Director of International Promotion Asia/Africa, Tourism Malaysia; and Mr. Ooi Chok Yan, CEO of Penang Global Tourism, Ms Huang Lishu Consul from the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Penang alongside representatives from Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB) and Hainan Airlines.

The inaugural flight marks a significant step in strengthening air connectivity between China and Malaysia, while supporting tourism growth and promoting Penang as an international travel destination.

-Tourism Malaysia.

Kunjungan Hormat Persekutuan Pengakap Malaysia Negeri Terengganu Kepada Ketua Pengarah Tourism Malaysia

 

PUTRAJAYA, 9 Oktober 2026 - YBrs. Encik Mohd Amirul Rizal Abdul Rahim, Ketua Pengarah Tourism Malaysia, telah menerima kunjungan hormat daripada delegasi Persekutuan Pengakap Malaysia Negeri Terengganu yang diketuai oleh YBhg. Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Haji Abdullah bin Haji Taib, Pengerusi Majlis Pengakap Negeri Terengganu, bertempat di Ibu Pejabat Tourism Malaysia, Putrajaya.

Kunjungan hormat ini bertujuan untuk membincangkan penganjuran Jambori Pengakap Antarabangsa Terengganu (TIJ100) yang dijadualkan berlangsung pada 17 hingga 21 Disember 2026 di Kem Pengakap Tengku Muhammad Ismail, Kuala Nerus, Terengganu.

Pertemuan ini turut menjadi platform bagi membincangkan potensi kerjasama strategik dalam mempromosikan program berkenaan, di samping mengetengahkan Terengganu sebagai destinasi pelancongan yang menawarkan kepelbagaian produk, warisan budaya dan pengalaman menarik kepada pengunjung domestik serta antarabangsa.

Turut hadir dalam pertemuan tersebut ialah En. Wizani bin Rosmin, Timbalan Ketua Pengarah (Perancangan) Tourism Malaysia, Pn. Zuraini Abd Ghani, Pengarah Bahagian Pembangunan Pakej Tourism Malaysia, dan En. Nizam Abd. Wahid, Penolong Pengarah Kanan Bahagian Domestik dan Acara Tourism Malaysia, bersama wakil-wakil Persekutuan Pengakap Malaysia Negeri Terengganu.

Tourism Malaysia sentiasa komited dalam memperkukuh kerjasama dengan pelbagai pihak bagi menyokong penganjuran program dan acara yang berpotensi merancakkan industri pelancongan negara, selaras dengan kempen melawat Malaysia 2026-2027.

-Tourism Malaysia.

Vietjet Thailand Inaugurates Kuala Lumpur-Bangkok Daily Service

 

KLIA TERMINAL 2, 9 October 2026 | Vietjet Thailand officially launched its first direct route between Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok on 9 October 2026, marking a significant step in the airline’s regional expansion and strengthening air connectivity between Malaysia and Thailand.

The daily service operates between Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA Terminal 2) and Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport, providing passengers with affordable and convenient travel options while supporting tourism, business, trade and investment between the two countries.

Flight Schedule:

Kuala Lumpur to Bangkok (VZ681): 3:15 PM – 4:30 PM

Bangkok to Kuala Lumpur (VZ680): 11:00 AM – 2:10 PM

The inaugural flight ceremony was attended by H.E. Ms. Lada Phumas, Ambassador of Thailand to Malaysia, Mr. Mohd Amirul Rizal Abdul Rahim, Director General of Tourism Malaysia, Mr. Mongkol Wattaro, Director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), Kuala Lumpur Office, Ms. Nathalie Catharina Jongma, Chief Aviation Development Officer of Malaysia Airports, Mr. Pinyot Pibulsonggram, Vice President of Commercial and Customer Service, Vietjet Thailand, and key tourism and aviation partners.

Vietjet Thailand highlighted that the new route will strengthen Bangkok’s role as a regional transit hub, improve connectivity to destinations across Thailand and the Asia-Pacific region, and encourage greater two-way tourism and business travel.

The launch is expected to further enhance Malaysia–Thailand connectivity and support continued growth in regional tourism and economic cooperation.

-Tourism Malaysia.

Tourism Malaysia And AirAsia Move Strengthen Partnership To Inspire More Travel To Malaysia

 

KUALA LUMPUR – Tourism Malaysia and AirAsia MOVE (MOVE) have launched the Oh Sem Malaysia! campaign aimed at boosting travel across the country, highlighting its secondary cities and hidden gems. The initiative expands the public-private strategic partnership, which offers curated travel experiences, destination-led promotions, and exclusive deals, in line with the ongoing Visit Malaysia 2026– 2027 campaign.

The strategic partnership will focus on campaigns and travel promotions that encourage domestic travel for Malaysians, as well as inspiring travellers to explore and venture beyond the usual hotspots. This will further strengthen Malaysia’ s appeal in various tourism segments, including cultural heritage, gastronomy, hospitality, eco-tourism, and more.

YBhg. Datuk Manoharan Periasamy, Chairman of Tourism Malaysia, said, “Our collaboration with AirAsia MOVE provides us with a great opportunity to reach more Malaysians and inspire them to discover the many destinations and experiences available across the country during the Visit Malaysia 2026– 2027 campaign. Domestic tourism continues to play an important role in supporting local tourism businesses and communities, and through active joint campaigns and promotions, we hope to encourage more Malaysians to travel locally and experience Malaysia’ s abundance of offerings, ranging from gastronomy to natural landscapes and more.”

-Tourism Malaysia.

Malaysia pushes direct flights, visa facilitation to grow Russian market

 

Malaysia is seeking stronger air connectivity and easier visa arrangements with Russia as it looks to grow visitor arrivals from the market. 

Tourism, arts and culture minister Tiong King Sing pursued potential direct flights and reciprocal visa-free travel during a sales mission to St Petersburg and Moscow from September 27 to October 1, which brought together 15 representatives from hotels and resorts, travel agents, tourism product operators and state tourism boards.  

The mission included B2B meetings and engagements with Russian travel trade partners. 

In a recent Facebook post, Tiong said he had discussed reciprocal visa-free travel with Russian deputy minister of economic development Dmitry Vakhrukov in Moscow. 

Both sides identified visa facilitation as an important factor in increasing two-way tourism. 

Air connectivity was also a focus of Tiong’s discussions with the Russian travel trade, including the potential for direct flights between Malaysia and Russia. Tiong said improved connectivity would make Malaysia more accessible to Russian travellers. 

The discussions come as Malaysia looks to capture a larger share of the Russian outbound market. 

Malaysia received 98,466 Russian tourists in the first eight months of 2026, up 4.3 per cent year-on-year from 94,420, according to Tourism Malaysia. 

Tiong also identified potential in Russian regions beyond Moscow and St Petersburg. During the sales mission, he met representatives of the Ural Tourism Association and said the region accounted for about 15 per cent of Russia’s outbound travellers and had a sizeable high-income population. 

He said closer cooperation between Malaysian and Russian travel agencies could help expand the market in the region. 

Longer stays are another segment Malaysia is exploring. Tiong said Malaysia was considering three- to four-month winter tourism packages for Russian travellers. 

The idea emerged from a meeting with Russian tour operator Fun & Sun Holidays, which told Tiong that some financially secure Russian travellers spend the winter months in warmer countries, typically staying for three to four months. 

Fun & Sun also highlighted the need for Russian- and Uzbek-speaking interpreters during peak travel periods. 

Tiong said the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture’s licensing and legal units would examine permit requirements for seasonal interpreters and, where necessary, engage the immigration and home affairs authorities. 

He added that the government would assess the potential of the long-stay segment, including the number of prospective travellers, their typical length of stay and accommodation needs.

-TTG Asia.

Tourism Malaysia Collaborates With Oppo Malaysia To Showcase The Beauty Of Malaysia Through Digital Lens

 

KUALA LUMPUR — Tourism Malaysia and Jie Business Sdn Bhd (OPPO Malaysia) today signed a Memorandum of Collaboration (MoC) to establish a digitally-driven strategic partnership aimed at enhancing the country’s appeal as a premier lifestyle destination. This milestone agreement aligns with national efforts to position Malaysia as a must-visit hub ahead of the Visit Malaysia 2026–2027 (VM2026–2027) Campaign. 

The signing ceremony held at Hilton Kuala Lumpur, was officiated by Mr Mohd Akbal Setia, Deputy Director General (Promotions) of Tourism Malaysia and Ms Monica Qin, Marketing Director of Jie Business Sdn Bhd (OPPO Malaysia), underscoring a shared commitment to driving digital tourism innovation and transforming how travelers capture the nation’s beauty. 

“We are proud to collaborate with OPPO Malaysia, as this partnership not only showcases the distinctive beauty and character of Malaysia, but also celebrates the remarkable creativity of our diverse and talented photographers through art and imagery. This collaboration builds on our previous Strategic Communication Programme in Kelantan, which involved 15 participants from OPPO Malaysia. We are pleased to continue this collaboration in highlighting Malaysia’s unique destinations and experiences through the power of visual storytelling,” said Mr Mohd Akbal Setia, Deputy Director General (Promotions) and Head of the Visit Malaysia 2026–2027 Secretariat, Tourism Malaysia. 

He also added that the initiative comes at a timely moment, with direct flights connecting Singapore and Jakarta to Kota Bharu making it more convenient for regional visitors to discover Kelantan. “This provides an ideal opportunity to shine a spotlight on Kelantan as a distinctive cultural destination, known for its rich heritage, vibrant traditional arts and iconic local gastronomy, including Nasi Kerabu and other traditional delicacies.” 

Through this partnership, both parties will execute joint promotional activities and experiential tourism initiatives. By leveraging OPPO extensive range of high technology smart phone, the effort seeks to enrich the overall visitor journey, extend average lengths of stay and boost tourism receipts through curated mobile photography with lifestyle offerings. 

“At OPPO, we have always believed that the most powerful stories are told through imagery, and Malaysia has no shortage of stories worth telling,” said Monica Qin, Marketing Director of OPPO Malaysia in her speech. “We are grateful to Tourism Malaysia for our continued collaboration in bringing this campaign to life. We continue to be in awe of the photographers and content creators who took up the Find Series and made it their own — their instinct for finding beauty in the unexpected is what gives this campaign its soul. Together, we hope these images inspire the world to see Malaysia not just as a destination, but as an experience waiting to be discovered. 

The collaboration comes at an opportune moment as Malaysia extends its Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign into 2027, opening further avenues to elevate the country’s global appeal. Driving engagements thorough smart imaging will catalyze growth across the broader tourism ecosystem, encouraging travelers to explore local attractions and share authentic experiences on digital platforms. 

From January to August 2026, Malaysia welcomed 28.8 million international visitor arrivals, an increase of 1.8 per cent compared to 28.2 million in the same period last year. Partnerships such as this will contribute to a smoother experience for international visitors and demonstrate positive momentum, providing a strong foundation as Tourism Malaysia ramps up joint promotional initiatives to sustain arrival growth through 2027. 

Tourism Malaysia remains committed to forging strategic partnerships with technology leaders to harness digital innovation. Through such alliances, the aim is to modernize destination storytelling, stimulate visitors’ demand, and ensure the sustainable growth of Malaysia’s tourism sector.

-Tourism Malaysia.