Gawai Dayak takes spotlight in KL as part of Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign
Participants sway to the beat during a traditional Gawai dance.
KUCHING (June 11): The vibrant spirit of the Gawai Dayak Festival came alive in Kuala Lumpur as Tourism Malaysia partnered with ibis KLCC to host a cultural showcase celebrating Sarawak's unique traditions and culinary delights.
Held on Tuesday, the event was also part of the Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) campaign, aimed at promoting the Gawai Dayak celebration to both domestic and international guests.
Tourism Malaysia Director-General Datuk Manoharan Periasamy officiated the two week-long event from June 8 to 22.
The event highlighted Sarawak's diverse cuisine including Laksa Sarawak, Manok Pansoh (chicken cooked in bamboo), Nuba Laya (wild rice in leaf wrap), Umai, and the iconic 'kek lapis'.
Guests were treated to traditional dance performances by a local troupe, showcasing Sarawak's rich cultural heritage and hospitality.
'The event is part of Tourism Malaysia's ongoing efforts to highlight the essence of Sarawak's vibrant culture and for everyone to join in the festivities and experience the warmth of Malaysian hospitality,' said Tourism Malaysia in a statement.
According to the board, the event also aims to bridge cultural appreciation between Borneo and Peninsular Malaysia as part of VM2026 promotions.
In a related update, Tourism Malaysia reported that the country welcomed 38 million international visitors in 2024, marking a 31.1 per cent increase from 2023 and an 8.3 per cent rise above pre-pandemic 2019 levels.
Visitor receipts also surged significantly, generating RM106.78 billion – a 43.7 per cent jump from 2023 and 20 per cent more than 2019.
'This positive trend has carried into early 2025, with the first four months recording 13.4 million arrivals – a 21 per cent year-on-year increase,' Tourism Malaysia added.
From January to April 2025, Singapore remained Malaysia's top source market for tourists, followed by Indonesia, China, Thailand, India, Brunei, South Korea, the Philippines, Australia and the United Kingdom. Gawai Dayak ibis KLCC kuala lumpur Tourism Malaysia Visit Malaysia 2026
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