visit malaysia year 2026

Tourism Malaysia Teams Up with Malaysia Aviation Group to Elevate Tourism for Visit Malaysia Year 2026

Wednesday, May 1, 2024 Favorite

Tourism Malaysia and the Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) recently celebrated the official signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), heralding the commencement of a strategic three-year alliance. This agreement marks a pledge by both entities to bolster Malaysia’s status as a premier gateway to Asia and a top tourism destination on the global stage.

The MoU was officiated by Tourism Malaysia’s Deputy Director-General (Promotion II), Mr. Lee Tai Hung, and MAG’s Chief Commercial Officer of Airlines, Mr. Dersenish Aresandiran, at a ceremony held at the Sheraton Imperial Hotel in Kuala Lumpur. The event was witnessed by Mr. Manoharan Periasamy, the Director-General of Tourism Malaysia, and Mr. Ahmad Luqman Bin Mohd Azmi, the CEO of Airlines (MAG).

Looking ahead to 2024, the prospects for Malaysia’s tourism sector appear bright. The plan includes a focused approach on major markets contributing to tourist numbers, including the ASEAN region, West Asia, South Asia, and East Asia, emphasizing improved air connectivity to enhance travel accessibility to Malaysia.

This year, the country is set to target 27.3 million tourists, aiming to generate RM102.7 billion in tourism revenue. Efforts to reach these ambitious goals involve vigorous promotional campaigns to strengthen the ‘Malaysia Truly Asia’ brand.

Mr. Manoharan Periasamy outlined the nation’s aspirations for Visit Malaysia Year 2026 (VMY2026), aiming to attract 35.6 million tourists and achieve RM147.1 billion in tourism receipts.

“Tourism Malaysia and MAG will collaborate to leverage each other’s strengths, providing more unrivalled services and seamless connections. More joint activities are planned, including familiarisation trips to Malaysia, marketing promotional activities, and advertising campaigns to feature Malaysia as a preferred holiday destination on the global stage.”

Chief Executive Officer of Airlines (MAG) Mr. Ahmad Luqman bin Mohd Azmi commented, “We look forward working with Tourism Malaysia, leveraging our strengths as a national carrier and aviation hub to pursue sustainable traffic growth in an increasingly competitive landscape. With our strong network and track record of working with partners through trade and consumer initiatives, we’re well-placed to support the nation’s tourism ambitions. This partnership reinforces MAG’s commitment to supporting the goals of Visit Malaysia Year 2026 (VMY2026) through positioning Malaysia as the gateway for Asia and beyond.”

The agreement will initiate a comprehensive three-year partnership program focusing on key international markets, not only in the leisure travel sector but also in MICE and transit travel. Central to this initiative is Malaysia Airlines’ Bonus Side Trip (BST) feature, which offers a complimentary domestic flight within the Malaysia Airlines network, enhancing the travel experience in Malaysia. The BST will be expanded to include a broader range of exclusive offers designed to showcase the rich attractions, landmarks, and cultural heritage of Malaysia.

Under this partnership, Tourism Malaysia and MAG, along with its subsidiaries Malaysia Airlines and Firefly, will engage in collaborative marketing and promotional efforts over the next three years to rejuvenate Malaysia’s tourism landscape, especially in the international arena.

Tags: asia travel , Aviation and tourism , International tourism , malaysia airlines , Malaysia tourism , travel and tourism , Visit Malaysia Year 2026

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Unveiling vmy2026: a closer look at malaysia’s tourism strategy.

By The  Malketeer

As Malaysia gears up for the much-anticipated Visit Malaysia Year 2026 (VMY 2026), questions have arisen regarding the specific themes, highlights, and targets that the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture plans to introduce.

The Minister of Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Tiong King Sing, faced scrutiny in the Dewan Rakyat, with opposition parliamentarian , Mas Ermieyati , a former deputy Minister of Tourism and Culture , highlighting the urgent need for a comprehensive plan and expressing concern over perceived controversies, including the recent demotion of Tourism Malaysia’s director-general.

One of the crucial queries raised pertains to the theme that will be central to VMY 2026, echoing the successful approaches adopted in 1990 and 2007. Malaysians and global observers are eager to understand the narrative that will be woven to entice both domestic and international visitors.

Tiong’s response to this question will play a pivotal role in shaping expectations and excitement surrounding the event.

Need of the Hour is Engagement with Stakeholders

Another key point of interest is the tagline that will be used to attract foreign tourists. Taglines have historically been instrumental in encapsulating the essence of Malaysia’s tourism offerings, acting as a powerful marketing tool. The government’s choice of words will not only showcase creativity but also set the tone for the overall promotional strategy leading up to VMY 2026.

Crucially, the proposed targets for tourist arrivals and revenue collection in 2026 have garnered attention. Minister Tiong has set ambitious goals of 35.6 million foreign tourists and an estimated domestic spend of RM147.1 billion.

Skepticism and optimism surround these figures, with some questioning the feasibility of such targets given the evolving global tourism lan dscape, particularly in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic , political and economic challenges . The rationale behind these targets and the strategies to achieve them will be pivotal in instilling confidence among stakeholders.

Accelerate Dissemination of VMY 2026 Campaign

The absence of information on an official logo, mascot, and theme song for VMY 2026 has also sparked curiosity. These elements contribute significantly to the visual and auditory identity of such initiatives, creating a lasting impression on visitors. Malaysians are eager to see how the government plans to represent the cultural richness and diversity of the nation through these creative components.

In response to some of these queries, Tiong has consistently emphasis ed the necessity of strategic cooperation among ministries, state governments, industry players, and public support over the next three years.

While he provided an overarching vision for success, concerns were raised about the demotion of Tourism Malaysia’s director-general, Ammar Abd Ghapar . Tiong defended the mo ve by citing performance issues.

Tiong Must Put to Rest All Controversies and Lead

As Malaysia navigates the path towards VMY 2026, it is essential for the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture to transparently communicate its plans and address concerns.

A well-defined theme, captivating tagline, realistic targets, and the creative elements like the logo and mascot will collectively contribute to the success of this ambitious endeavo u r .

Striking a balance between ambition and practicality, coupled with clear communication, will be key in ensuring that VMY 2026 becomes a memorable and transformative experience for both locals and visitors alike.

It is imperative for Tiong and Tourism Malaysia to start focusing on the VMY 2026 Campaign, instead of being distracted by his political opponents. The time is now. Malaysia deserves to put on the best ever VMY 2026 welcome to the wor ld and make “ a dent in the universe”.

The APPIES is an annual event that presents a rare opportunity for creative, media, digital and marketing agencies or brands to present their best campaigns to the industry.

This is the only event where Live Presentations meets Live Judging.

Similar to TED Talks, The APPIES is the chance for great presenters with outstanding work to show it off to some of the industry’s most important industry leaders.

This year’s winners will receive Gold, Silver or Bronze trophies for 21 categories, and 6 special Best of Best categories (red trophies) that require no submissions!

Campaign entries must have run between June 2023 to May 2024

Submissions deadline 30th june 2024, appies festival – judging & presentations 11th – 12th july 2024 (malaysia).

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LATEST NEWS : TOURISM MALAYSIA UNVEILS STRATEGIC ROADMAP FOR VISIT MALAYSIA 2026

(YB Dato Sri Tiong King Sing, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture delivering his mandate at the Tourism Malaysia Strategic Direction Towards VM2026 Networking Session)

TTT NEWS NETWORK

KUALA LUMPUR, 1 MAY 2024:

Tourism Malaysia had a prominent start on 30th April 2024 by organising a networking session with the industry players by presenting its strategic direction and action plans focussing on promoting Malaysia internationally and domestically. This direction and action plans were crafted during the engagement session with industry players to ensure the fast conversion and high impact programme and achieve the common goal in attracting 35.6 million tourists and generate RM147.1 billion in receipts for Visit Malaysia 2026.

The VM 2026 roadmap is built on three core strategies – creating demand, increasing traffic, and prioritising target markets. Key initiatives include branding and marketing blitz, strategic partnerships for joint promotions/tactical campaigns and market segmentation.

Malaysia’s notable tourism achievements for the first quarter of 2024 are promising. During this period, from January to March, Malaysia saw a significant influx of foreign tourists, reaching 5.8 million arrivals. This marks a remarkable growth of 32.5% compared to the previous year’s 4.3 million. The top ten markets contributing to this success were Singapore, Indonesia, China, Thailand, Brunei, India, South Korea, the United Kingdom, Australia, and the Philippines.

Tourism Malaysia will continue to empower its branding through aggressive advertising campaigns, influencer marketing, and compelling content creation across digital (70%) and traditional (30%) media platforms. The agency will also establish strategic partnerships with airlines, online travel agents (OTAs), and land/sea border operators of neighbouring countries to enhance tourist arrivals.

Key target markets are prioritised into three tiers, led by first-level priorities such as China, India, Indonesia, Vietnam and Australia. The second-level priorities include South Korea, Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and the United Kingdom, followed by third-level priorities comprising Chinese Taipei and Germany. Apart from traditional markets such as Brunei, Thailand and Singapore, the focus is also highlighted on emerging markets like Pakistan and Bangladesh.

Meanwhile, tourism products and travel experiences will be tailored for niche segments like nature-based tourism, experiential tourism, medical & wellness tourism, responsible tourism, luxury, weddings, Muslim-friendly, gastronomy, and bleisure travel.

YB Dato Sri Tiong King Sing, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, said: “Our multipronged VM 2026 strategy provides a comprehensive framework to boost Malaysia’s visibility, enhance destination accessibility and elevate our tourism offerings. Through focused efforts and strategic collaborations, we are confident of achieving our yearly arrivals and target receipts in the run-up to VM 2026.”

Tourism Malaysia will continue engaging industry stakeholders and international partners to refine and execute the VM 2026 strategies, positioning Malaysia as a preferred tourist destination in this region.

About Tourism Malaysia:

Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board, also known as Tourism Malaysia, is an agency under the Ministry of Tourism, Arts & Culture Malaysia. It focuses on the specific task of promoting Malaysia as a preferred tourism destination. Since its inception, it has emerged as a major player in the international tourism scene.

The next Visit Malaysia Year, set to take place in 2026, will commemorate the sustainability of the nation’s tourism industry, which is also in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG).

Furthermore, Tourism Malaysia actively endorses the Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT), working towards the realisation of the IMT-GT Visiting Year 2023-2025, with the shared aim of promoting the region as a unified tourism destination.

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Tourism Malaysia unveils strategic roadmap for Visit Malaysia 2026

Tourism Malaysia has initiated preparations for Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM 2026) with the unveiling of a strategic roadmap designed to attract an unprecedented number of tourists. The tourism board commenced its efforts with a networking session on April 30, 2024, where it presented its strategic direction and action plans to industry players, focusing on promoting Malaysia both internationally and domestically.

This direction and action plans were crafted during the engagement session with industry players to ensure the fast conversion and high-impact programme and achieve the common goal of attracting 35.6 million tourists and generate RM147.1 billion in receipts for Visit Malaysia 2026.

The VM 2026 roadmap is built on three core strategies: creating demand, increasing traffic, and prioritizing target markets. Key initiatives include branding and marketing blitz, strategic partnerships for joint promotions and tactical campaigns, and market segmentation.

Malaysia has already seen promising tourism achievements in the first quarter of 2024. From January to March, the country experienced a significant influx of foreign tourists, reaching 5.8 million arrivals, marking a growth of 32.5 per cent compared to the previous year. The top ten markets contributing to this success were Singapore, Indonesia, China, Thailand, Brunei, India, South Korea, the United Kingdom, Australia, and the Philippines.

Tourism Malaysia will continue to empower its branding through aggressive advertising campaigns, influencer marketing, and compelling content creation across digital (70 per cent) and traditional (30 per cent) media platforms. The agency will also establish strategic partnerships with airlines, online travel agents (OTAs), and land/sea border operators of neighbouring countries to enhance tourist arrivals.

Key target markets are prioritised into three tiers, led by first-level priorities such as China, India, Indonesia, Vietnam and Australia. The second-level priorities include South Korea, Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and the United Kingdom, followed by third-level priorities comprising Chinese Taipei and Germany. Apart from traditional markets such as Brunei, Thailand and Singapore, the focus is also highlighted on emerging markets like Pakistan and Bangladesh.

Meanwhile, tourism products and travel experiences will be tailored for niche segments like nature-based tourism, experiential tourism, medical & wellness tourism, responsible tourism, luxury, weddings, Muslim-friendly, gastronomy, and bleisure travel.

YB Dato Sri Tiong King Sing, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, said, “Our multipronged VM 2026 strategy provides a comprehensive framework to boost Malaysia’s visibility, enhance destination accessibility and elevate our tourism offerings. Through focused efforts and strategic collaborations, we are confident of achieving our yearly arrivals and target receipts in the run-up to VM 2026.”

Tourism Malaysia will continue engaging industry stakeholders and international partners to refine and execute the VM 2026 strategies, positioning Malaysia as a preferred tourist destination in this region.

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2026 To Be Visit Malaysia Year

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Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim wants to make Malaysia a preferred tourist destination again.

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In tabling the 2024 Malaysia Madani Budget today, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced that 2026 will be Visit Malaysia Year.

Tourism Malaysia appoints ATW Travel Marketing  as UK PR agency

Tourism Malaysia London has appointed ATW Travel Marketing as its official PR agency in preparation for Visit Malaysia Year 2026. This partnership marks the first full-time PR agency collaboration for Tourism Malaysia London since the pandemic, indicating the positive recovery of the country’s tourism industry. Malaysia’s diverse attractions, rich cultural heritage, natural beauty, tropical climate, and delicious cuisine are attracting travellers again.

“We are excited to collaborate with ATW Travel Marketing to boost our efforts further as we prepare for Visit Malaysia Year 2026,” said Mr Noran Ujang, Director of Tourism Malaysia London. “Their extensive experience and proven track record in the travel and tourism industry make them the ideal partner to help us showcase Malaysia’s diverse offerings. We welcome travellers to explore Malaysia’s rainforests, mountains, and pristine beaches. We aim to showcase Malaysia’s cultural diversity and natural beauty to captivate travellers and foster a deeper appreciation for our rich heritage.”

ATW Travel Marketing will develop and implement a comprehensive PR strategy to raise awareness of Visit Malaysia Year 2026, generate positive media coverage, and attract international visitors to Malaysia. The Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, has targeted 27.3 million foreign tourist arrivals in 2026 with domestic spending of RM102.7 billion. The government has also allocated RM350 million to boost tourism promotions and activities to make Malaysia the world’s top tourist destination again. Datuk Seri Anwar, also Finance Minister, said these include organising Visit Malaysia Year 2026 and collaborating with the industry to promote tourism activities and events within and outside the country. More than 200 cultural activists will also receive help in organising arts and cultural activities.

“We are honoured to be selected as Tourism Malaysia’s official PR agency,” said Hannah Filer, Managing Director of ATW Travel Marketing. “Drawing on our extensive travel experience and deep understanding of Malaysia, we’ll craft captivating campaigns that ignite wanderlust and showcase the magic of this extraordinary destination. We’ll delve into diverse experiences like its captivating cuisine, sustainable travel options, and unique niche packages, from archaeological adventures to diving experiences, highlighting why Malaysia is a must-visit destination.”

Visit Malaysia Year 2026 is a national initiative to revitalise the country’s tourism industry following the global pandemic. The campaign will promote Malaysia’s rich cultural heritage, stunning natural beauty, and unique experiences to travellers worldwide.

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We can also organize a real life or digital event for you and find thought leader speakers as well as industry leaders, who could be your potential partners, to join the event. We also run some awards programmes which give you an opportunity to be recognized for your achievements during the year and you can join this as a participant or a sponsor.

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‘Why wait till 2026 to revive tourism?’

Tuesday, 17 Oct 2023

Related News

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Consider this: Hamzah giving his speech while debating Budget 2024. — Bernama

THE government need not wait two years to rejuvenate the tourism sector, says Opposition leader Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin, in response to the announcement of Visit Malaysia Year 2026.

Instead, Malaysia should capitalise on the current recovery trend in tourism across the globe and take advantage of the weak ringgit to breathe life into the local industry, he said.

“Therefore, Perikatan Nasional proposes for expenditures pertaining to Visit Malaysia Year be expedited to promote and strengthen existing infrastructures and facilities.

“Immediate steps to propel the tourism sector will indirectly strengthen the value of ringgit, which is trading at more than RM4.70 (against the US dollar),” said Hamzah when debating Budget 2024 in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday.

During the tabling of Budget 2024 last Friday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said 2026 has been set as the next Visit Malaysia Year.

Anwar, who is also the Finance Minister, said the government targets 26.1 million in foreign tourist arrivals in 2026, and they are expected to spend RM97.6mil to that end.

Hamzah said that Malaysia should focus on high-value tourism.

“As an example, the luxury cruise holiday in Langkawi, nature tourism like the Danum Valley in Sabah, and the Niah Caves National Park in Sarawak.

“These opportunities should not be wasted and several improvements, including visas, should be looked into again so that Malaysia can propel the tourism sector to greater heights,” he added.

In a related matter, Hamzah questioned Budget 2024’s focus on lowering the fiscal deficit rate.

“What is the point of being proud of reduced rates of fiscal deficit, inflation and unemployment, but the reality is very much different on the ground,” he said.

Only RM90bil out of a total RM393.8bil, or 23%, of Budget 2024 has been set aside for development expenditure, while the rest will be spent on government operating expenses.

“The development expenditure for Budget 2024 is only 23% and this percentage is nearly the same for development expenditure in Budget 2023,” said Hamzah.

He said the unity government seemed to be more interested in lowering the fiscal deficit, as opposed to drafting a budget that would assist Malaysians and stimulate economic growth.

Budget 2024 should be drafted with a debt management strategy in mind, instead of pursuing macro fiscal deficit figures, he added.

“It is important to create a good mood among the people, that they have enough money to spend. This can improve the domestic market and stimulate the national economy,” said Hamzah.

Tags / Keywords: Hamzah Zainudin , Visit Malaysia Year 2026 , Budget 2024

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