Tag: #TourismMalaysia

  • Festival Muzik Air Rain Rave Sempena Hari Pekerja Sedunia: Pemangkin Pengaktifan Pelancongan Strategik Kuala Lumpur

    Festival Muzik Air Rain Rave Sempena Hari Pekerja Sedunia: Pemangkin Pengaktifan Pelancongan Strategik Kuala Lumpur

    Malaysia akan terus bergerak ke hadapan secara berhemah dan bertanggungjawab ketika Kuala Lumpur bersiap sedia untuk meraikan Sambutan Hari Pekerja Sedunia bersama Festival Muzik Air Rain Rave yang akan berlangsung dari 30 April hingga 2 Mei 2026 di Bukit Bintang. Festival ini membuka peluang untuk mengalu-alukan pelawat dari seluruh rantau dan luar negara bagi menjadi sebahagian daripada pengalaman bersama yang merentas budaya di Malaysia.

    Selain acara utama di Kuala Lumpur, tujuh negeri turut menyatakan kesediaan untuk menganjurkan aktiviti berkaitan yang bertemakan selari serta saling melengkapi, disesuaikan dengan konteks tempatan dan elemen budaya masing-masing. Negeri-negeri yang terlibat termasuk Negeri Sembilan, Johor, Melaka, Kedah, Wilayah Persekutuan Labuan, Pahang dan Terengganu, sekali gus mencerminkan penyertaan lebih meluas di peringkat kebangsaan dalam meraikan acara ini.

    Acara ini dianjurkan bersama oleh Tourism Malaysia dan The Fame sebagai sebahagian daripada ekosistem pelancongan Visit Malaysia 2026 yang lebih luas. Walaupun persekitaran global kekal tidak menentu, penekanan perlu terus diberikan kepada usaha mengekalkan aktiviti ekonomi serta memastikan pertumbuhan yang inklusif. Inisiatif pelancongan yang dirancang dengan baik memainkan peranan penting dalam menyokong perniagaan tempatan, mengukuhkan daya tahan industri, serta memastikan manfaat pertumbuhan pelancongan dapat dinikmati secara lebih meluas termasuk oleh komuniti B40.

    Festival Muzik Air Rain Rave dilihat sebagai pengaktifan pelancongan bandar strategik yang mencerminkan masyarakat majmuk Malaysia serta mempromosikan keterangkuman, dengan menghimpunkan pemain industri, rakan kreatif dan pihak berkepentingan komersial, di samping meningkatkan kehadiran pelawat serta merangsang perbelanjaan merentas sektor runcit, hospitaliti dan perkhidmatan. Selain elemen hiburan, festival ini turut mengintegrasikan budaya pelbagai kaum di Malaysia, bakat kreatif tempatan serta pengalaman gaya hidup terkurasi yang mencerminkan kekuatan ekosistem industri kreatif negara, di samping menarik minat pengunjung domestik dan antarabangsa.

    Pengunjung boleh menjangkakan persekitaran imersif yang diinspirasikan oleh hujan, barisan DJ antarabangsa dan serantau bersama artis Malaysia, serta pengalaman pasar tempatan terkurasi yang menampilkan makanan, budaya dan ekspresi kreatif Malaysia.

    Rain Rave kekal berteraskan identiti Malaysia dengan pendekatan kontemporari yang menggabungkan tradisi dan kreativiti moden. Diinspirasikan oleh hujan sebagai elemen semula jadi penting di Malaysia, festival ini mentransformasikan elemen tersebut kepada ekspresi kreatif dan budaya, sambil mempamerkan kepelbagaian warisan negara melalui persembahan tradisional, makanan dan permainan rakyat. Bersempena sambutan Hari Pekerja, festival ini juga menjadi penghargaan bermakna kepada sumbangan semua komuniti pekerja dan akan dibangunkan sebagai acara tahunan berprestij, sekali gus mengukuhkan peranannya sebagai antara tarikan utama dalam kalendar pelancongan Malaysia serta memposisikan negara sebagai destinasi yang muda dan bertenaga.

    Acara ini turut disokong oleh rangkaian pihak berkepentingan awam dan swasta. Sokongan budaya dan kandungan disediakan oleh agensi seperti Istana Budaya, Perbadanan Kemajuan Kraftangan Malaysia (KRAFTANGAN), Jabatan Kebudayaan dan Kesenian Negara (JKKN) serta Jabatan Warisan Negara (JWN), sekali gus mempertingkatkan keseluruhan pengalaman pengunjung.

    Tourism Malaysia menyokong inisiatif ini melalui usaha promosi destinasi di bawah kempen Visit Malaysia 2026, manakala Kementerian Pelancongan, Seni dan Budaya berperanan sebagai pemudah cara dan penyelaras dengan kerjasama pihak berkuasa berkaitan bagi memastikan pelaksanaan yang lancar, pematuhan peraturan serta keselamatan awam.

    Perancangan menyeluruh telah disediakan termasuk pengurusan trafik, kawalan pergerakan orang ramai, protokol keselamatan dan penyelarasan dengan agensi penguatkuasaan bagi memastikan persekitaran yang selamat, teratur dan terkawal untuk semua pengunjung. Kementerian kekal komited dalam mengimbangi keutamaan ekonomi dengan pelaksanaan yang bertanggungjawab. Ketika Malaysia mengharungi landskap global yang kompleks, fokus kekal jelas untuk mengekalkan pertumbuhan, mengukuhkan keyakinan serta memastikan Malaysia kekal berdaya saing, stabil dan berpandangan jauh. Sekali lagi, Malaysia terus mengalu-alukan pelawat dari seluruh dunia.

  • Chongqing Airlines Launches Direct Chongqing–Kota Kinabalu Route

    Chongqing Airlines Launches Direct Chongqing–Kota Kinabalu Route

    Tourism Malaysia welcomed the arrival of the inaugural direct service by Chongqing Airlines connecting Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport and Kota Kinabalu International Airport on 19 March 2026, marking an important milestone in strengthening air connectivity between China and Sabah.

    The new flight OQ2193 links Chongqing with Kota Kinabalu using the modern Airbus A320neo, carrying up to 195 passengers per trip. The service operates three times weekly on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, departing China at 19:00 and arriving in Malaysia at an estimated time of 23:15. This further enhances accessibility from China, one of Malaysia’s most important tourism source markets, while supporting sustained growth in visitor arrivals.

    The launch of this new airline service reflects the growing interest among Chinese carriers in expanding routes to Sabah, driven by rising demand for the state’s diverse tourism offerings. The route strengthens connectivity for travellers from Western China, providing greater access to Sabah’s renowned landscapes, vibrant culture and signature Malaysian hospitality. In total, 10 cities in China are connected to Sabah through key entry points such as Kota Kinabalu International Airport and Tawau Airport, with 112 weekly flights currently in operation.

    “This route launch reflects the soaring demand for Sabah’s unique offerings. As a key pillar of our China strategy, this partnership with Chongqing Airlines strengthens Malaysia’s position as a premier and accessible gateway for nature, culture and world-class hospitality, while driving inbound travel from China as part of the Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) campaign,” said Mr Mohd Amirul Rizal Abdul Rahim, Director General of Tourism Malaysia.

    The inaugural arrival was received by delegates from Tourism Malaysia, led by Ms Haryanty Abu Bakar, Director of Tourism Malaysia Sabah, alongside representatives from the Sabah Tourism Board, Chongqing Airlines and Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad in a welcoming ceremony to commemorate the milestone.

    The new Chongqing–Kota Kinabalu route reflects continued collaboration between tourism authorities, airport operators and airline partners to strengthen Malaysia’s air connectivity and support sustainable tourism growth. The direct service offers seamless travel options for leisure travellers, business visitors and group tours, while enhancing Kota Kinabalu’s position as a strategic gateway to East Malaysia.

    China remains a key market in Malaysia’s tourism expansion. In 2025, Malaysia recorded 4.7 million visitor arrivals from China, representing a 25.1 per cent year-on-year increase and underscoring the market’s continued importance and strong travel demand.

    Aligned with the strategic objectives of Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026), the introduction of this route enhances international accessibility and further strengthens Kota Kinabalu as a key regional gateway alongside Kuala Lumpur. It is expected to encourage repeat visits, increase tourism spending and reinforce Malaysia’s position as a preferred destination for leisure, culture, gastronomy and shopping.

    Tourism Malaysia extends its appreciation to Chongqing Airlines and Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad for their continued collaboration and support, and looks forward to working closely on joint promotional initiatives to showcase Malaysia’s diverse tourism offerings to travellers from Chongqing and the wider China market in support of Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026).

  • Malaysia Shines at Arabian Travel Awards 2025 with Double Wins

    Malaysia Shines at Arabian Travel Awards 2025 with Double Wins

    Tourism Malaysia celebrated a significant milestone after winning two prestigious honours ‘Best National Tourism Organisation (NTO) Southeast Asia’ and ‘Best Destination Marketing Initiatives’ at the 8th Arabian Travel Awards held at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Dubai Business Bay on 25 November 2025. These awards highlight Malaysia’s growing appeal as a preferred destination for travellers from the Middle East and affirm Tourism Malaysia’s dedication to strengthening promotional efforts ahead of Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026). The accolades were received on behalf of the organisation by Mr. Mohd Faharuddin Hatmin, Director of Tourism Malaysia in Dubai, during a ceremony attended by more than 100 influential representatives from the regional travel trade, hospitality sectors, and media.

    Datuk Manoharan Periasamy, Director General of Tourism Malaysia, expressed his gratitude for the recognition, noting that it reflects the agency’s continuous commitment to showcasing Malaysia’s rich and diverse tourism offerings to the world. As the country prepares for VM2026, he emphasised that Tourism Malaysia will intensify its market engagement, deepen strategic collaborations, and boost air connectivity to support sustainable and impactful visitor growth from the Middle East and beyond.

    Malaysia recorded an encouraging 28.2 million international tourist arrivals from January to August 2025, marking a 14.5 per cent increase compared to the same period in 2024. This upward trend showcases the enduring appeal of Malaysia’s vibrant cities, picturesque islands, cultural heritage, and celebrated gastronomic experiences that continue to draw visitors from across the globe.

    Looking forward, the recent accolades provide further momentum for Malaysia’s preparations toward achieving its Visit Malaysia 2026 target of welcoming 47 million international travellers. Key initiatives include enhancing air accessibility to Malaysia, supported by new daily Batik Air flights from Dubai to Kuala Lumpur starting 1 January 2026, complementing existing routes operated by Emirates, Etihad, Flydubai, Air Arabia, and others.

  • Malaysia Week 2025 Ignites Brunei Spirit Ahead of Visit Malaysia 2026

    Malaysia Week 2025 Ignites Brunei Spirit Ahead of Visit Malaysia 2026

    Tourism Malaysia is currently hosting Malaysia Week 2025, a two-day event taking place from 18 to 19 October at the Atrium, Ground Floor of The Mall in Gadong, Brunei Darussalam. The event celebrates Malaysia’s commitment to promoting its diverse travel destinations and strengthening tourism partnerships with Brunei, while also marking a significant milestone in the lead-up to Visit Malaysia Year 2026 (VM2026).

    Malaysia Week 2025 serves as a strategic platform to showcase the country’s wide range of tourism offerings, including adventure, culture, wellness, and lifestyle experiences. The event reinforces Malaysia’s readiness to welcome more visitors in the coming year, particularly from the ASEAN region. A total of eleven exhibitors are participating, representing the states of Selangor, Sarawak, and the Federal Territory of Labuan. They are joined by travel agents from Brunei Darussalam, offering exclusive travel deals and special discounts on airfare, hotel accommodations, and holiday packages. Visitors can also enjoy a variety of interactive activities, children’s games, and daily lucky draws with exciting prizes.

    The event was jointly officiated by His Excellency Datuk Mohd Aini Atan, High Commissioner of Malaysia to Brunei Darussalam; Haji Badarudin bin Haji Bagol, Acting Chief Executive Officer of Royal Brunei Airlines; and Ms. Hazrina Azman, Director of Tourism Malaysia Brunei Darussalam. In her remarks, Ms. Hazrina stated that Brunei has always been one of Malaysia’s key tourism markets in ASEAN. She expressed hopes that through Malaysia Week 2025, more Bruneians will be inspired to rediscover Malaysia not only as a nearby destination but as a country rich in culture, adventure, and authentic experiences. With Visit Malaysia Year 2026 approaching, Malaysia looks forward to welcoming even more travellers to explore its beauty and warmth.

    His Excellency Datuk Mohd Aini Atan also emphasised the strong tourism ties between Malaysia and Brunei, highlighting that this relationship is a reflection of the deep-rooted friendship, cultural similarities, mutual respect, and strong people-to-people connections shared by both nations. Through Malaysia Week 2025, Malaysia aims to provide Bruneians with a glimpse into its vibrant lifestyle, diverse attractions, world-class hospitality, and excellent connectivity.

    Brunei continues to be a priority tourism market for Malaysia within the ASEAN region. From January to August 2025, Malaysia welcomed 1,005,423 visitor arrivals from Brunei, underscoring the country’s popularity as a preferred travel destination. Looking ahead, Malaysia remains focused on growing high-value tourism segments such as family-friendly holidays, eco and community-based tourism, wellness, education, long-stay packages, and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, and Exhibitions) travel. Supported by world-class infrastructure and authentic local experiences, Malaysia is fully prepared to welcome millions of visitors during Visit Malaysia Year 2026.