Courtesy Call: Tourism Malaysia & Bahrain Tourism

 

KUALA LUMPUR, 11 August 2026 | A meeting was successfully convened between the senior delegations of Tourism Malaysia and Bahrain Tourism . The discussion was led by Tourism Malaysia Director General, Mr. Mohd Amirul Rizal bin Abdul Rahim, alongside Deputy Director-General (Promotion II) Mr. Samuel Lee Thai Hung, Senior Director of the Asia & Africa Division Madam Nuwal Fadhilah Ku Azmi, Head of the VM2026 Secretariat & Senior Director of the Advertising and Digital Division Mr. Mohd Akbal Setia, together with officers from the Asia & Africa Division, who received the Bahrain delegation led by Chief Executive Officer H.E. Sara Ahmed Buhiji.

The session focused on establishing a strategic partnership to maximize the promotional impact and tourist yield of the upcoming Formula 1 event at the Sepang International Circuit between the both countries.

Key Discussion Outcomes:

1. Direct Flight Connectivity (Gulf Air): A core discussion point was capitalising on Gulf Air’s new direct Bahrain–Kuala Lumpur service launching on September 29, 2026. The enhanced flight schedules in the run-up to the race weekend will serve as a direct pipeline for tourists from the Middle East.

2. Singapore-Malaysia Race Synergy: Key strategies were mapped out to target regional travellers by leveraging the consecutive race timing with the Singapore Grand Prix. Joint packages will focus on capturing the massive influx of international fans already in the region.

3. Official F1 Carnival & Entertainment Overhaul: The delegations finalized collaborative frameworks for an official F1 carnival alongside the Sepang race. This includes integrating local cultural showcases and music festivals to enrich the fan itinerary outside track hours.

4. Pre- & Post-Race Regional Packages: To work with travel operators in regional markets like Indonesia, Thailand, and Singapore to establish fixed travel itineraries that encourage extended stays across major Malaysian states.

5. Cross-Market Brand Visibility: Cross-promote both Malaysia's and Bahrain's unique culture.

6. High-Value Corporate & MICE Segment: Discussions included using the F1 paddock and corporate suites as a premium networking platform for corporate tourism, incentive travel, and foreign business investors.

The meeting marks a significant step towards strengthening tourism collaboration between Malaysia and Bahrain, while creating new opportunities to attract high-value international visitors and maximize the tourism potential surrounding the Formula 1 event. Through strategic connectivity, joint promotional initiatives and cross-market partnerships, both countries look forward to delivering memorable experiences for visitors and further positioning Malaysia as a preferred destination in the region.

-Tourism Malaysia.