Latest news with #VisitMalaysia2026
The Sun
an hour ago
- Health
- The Sun
Malaysia targets global medical tourism leadership with MYMT 2026
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysia Year of Medical Tourism (MYMT) 2026 was officially launched today to reinforce the country's status as a leading destination for affordable, high-quality healthcare. Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad unveiled the campaign under the tagline 'Healing Meets Hospitality,' targeting international healthcare travellers with Malaysia's blend of medical excellence and warm hospitality. 'Malaysia has long been recognised as a preferred destination for medical tourism. In 2024, we recorded 1.6 million healthcare travellers, generating RM2.72 billion in revenue, which marks a 21 per cent increase from the previous year,' said Dzulkefly. He noted that Malaysia's global reputation was further cemented when it ranked among the world's top 10 medical tourism destinations by Nomad Capitalist earlier this year. The campaign aligns with Visit Malaysia 2026, aiming to position healthcare as a key economic driver. Dzulkefly projected spillover benefits of RM12 to RM15 billion by 2030 for airlines, hotels, and local businesses. A key initiative under MYMT 2026 is the Flagship Medical Tourism Hospital (FMTH) programme, which recognises hospitals for clinical excellence and innovation. Four hospitals—Institut Jantung Negara, Island Hospital Penang, Mahkota Medical Centre, and Subang Jaya Medical Centre—are in the final assessment stage, with the winner to be announced in December. Adding star power to the campaign, celebrated singer Datuk Seri Siti Nurhaliza was named official ambassador, embodying trust and compassion—values central to Malaysia Healthcare. Dzulkefly also highlighted Malaysia's leadership role in ASEAN healthcare cooperation, particularly in cross-border care and health equity. 'With our continued commitment and collaboration, I am confident that we will exceed expectations and set new benchmarks in global medical tourism,' he said. - Bernama
Barnama
2 hours ago
- Health
- Barnama
MYMT 2026 To Boost Malaysia's Position In Global Medical Tourism
KUALA LUMPUR, July 24 (Bernama) -- Malaysia Year of Medical Tourism (MYMT) 2026 has officially been launched today to strengthen the country's position as a top destination for affordable and high-quality healthcare services. Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said with the tagline 'Healing Meets Hospitality', MYMT 2026 aims to attract more international healthcare travellers by highlighting the country's high-quality, affordable medical services, along with its warm hospitality and wellness offerings. "Malaysia has long been recognised as a preferred destination for medical tourism. In 2024, we recorded 1.6 million healthcare travellers, generating RM2.72 billion in revenue, which marks a 21 per cent increase from the previous year. 'These figures reflect the growing confidence in our healthcare system," he said in his speech at the launch of the campaign, here. Dzulkefly, who also chairs the Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC), said the country's international standing in the sector was further reinforced in May this year, when it was ranked among the world's top 10 medical tourism destinations by Nomad Capitalist, alongside regional peers such as Singapore and Thailand. He said the campaign supports the broader goals of Visit Malaysia 2026 by positioning healthcare as a key economic and reputational driver, with the potential to generate between RM12 and RM15 billion by 2030 through spillover benefits to airlines, hotels, transport services, and local communities. Among the highlights of MYMT 2026 is the Flagship Medical Tourism Hospital (FMTH) programme, which recognises excellence in clinical care, innovation and international patient services. "Four outstanding hospitals that include Institut Jantung Negara, Island Hospital Penang, Mahkota Medical Centre, and Subang Jaya Medical Centre are currently in the final stages of assessment. We look forward to announcing the winner in December," he said. The campaign also introduced celebrated singer Datuk Seri Siti Nurhaliza as its official ambassador, highlighting her as a symbol of trust, authenticity and compassion - values that reflect the core essence of Malaysia Healthcare.
The Star
18 hours ago
- Business
- The Star
Pavilion-REIT forecast to continue solid showing
HLIB Research said the outlook for Pavilion-REIT for financial year 2025 remains positive. PETALING JAYA: Analysts expect stronger earnings for Pavilion Real Estate Investment Trust 's (Pavilion-REIT) in the second half of this year (2H25) as the group's growth continues to gain momentum. The group reported its second quarter of financial year 2025 (2Q25) core net profit of RM78.7mil earlier this week, down 13% quarter-on-quarter and up 17.2% year-on-year, bringing 1H25's total to RM169.1mil, which was in line with most consensus expectations. Hong Leong Investment Bank Research (HLIB Research) said in a report the outlook for Pavilion-REIT for financial year 2025 (FY25) remains positive, underpinned by sustained tourism-driven footfall at key malls such as Pavilion Kuala Lumpur and Pavilion Elite, which contributed about 67% of 1H25 revenue. 'This, along with management's low to mid-single-digit rental revision guidance, supports our view of a resilient FY25 performance,' it added. HLIB Research noted that Pavilion-REIT's management had observed a notable increase in tourist footfall at Pavilion KL and Pavilion Elite over the past two to three weeks. 'This aligns with our 2H25 outlook, where we expect sustained high footfall at these prime malls supported by Visit Malaysia 2026 initiatives and the mutual visa exemption between Malaysia and China,' the research house said. HLIB Research, which maintained a 'buy' call on the stock with an unchanged target price of RM1.77, said it remains positive on the REIT, underpinned by a favourable tourism outlook, which is expected to boost footfall and spending in key assets like Pavilion KL and Pavilion Elite, reinforcing its growth momentum. CGS International Research (CGSI Research) said it continues to see Pavilion-REIT as a proxy for growing private consumption, an uptick in tourism and accelerated earnings expansion from Pavilion Bukit Jalil (PBJ). The research house said the group is expected to post higher 2H25 earnings backed improving occupancy and earnings from PBJ, incremental contributions from the newly acquired Banyan Tree Kuala Lumpur hotel and Pavilion Hotel Kuala Lumpur as well interest savings following the overnight policy rate cut on July 9. On key takeaways from Pavilion-REIT's 2Q25 briefing earlier this week, CGSI Research said management highlighted that PBJ's valuation has been maintained at RM2.2bil following a recent revaluation exercise by consultants Knight Frank and KPMG. Therefore, the outstanding acquisition consideration remains unchanged at RM400mil (with RM1.8bil already paid), which is due next month. 'We believe this could lead to a modest increase in gearing, as it draws down additional debt to fund the remaining consideration,' the research house said. CGSI Research reiterated an 'add' call on the REIT with a target price of RM1.79 per share. RHB Research, meanwhile, kept a 'buy' call with a new target price of RM2 per share. It said Pavilion-REIT's 1H25 results were in line with expectations and supported by the solid performance of PBJ. According to the research house, Pavilion REIT's stands to benefit from its robust asset quality, the recovery in tourism, and exposure to floating-rate debt (88%), which makes it a beneficiary of recent interest rate cuts. On the REIT's outlook, RHB Research said it expects 3Q25 retail sales to remain soft, due to the absence of festival-related spending, before picking up in the seasonally stronger 4Q25.
New Straits Times
a day ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
RM50m in tourism, culture grants almost used up, says Tourism Malaysia
PASIR GUDANG: The federal government's RM50 million allocation for grants to boost tourism and cultural activities has nearly run dry due to overwhelming response from industry players and event organisers. Tourism Malaysia Southern Region deputy director Awang Shawal Awang Sulaiman said the strong response to the Tourism Sector Support Grant (GSSP) and Cultural Sector Support Grant (GSSK) bodes well for the run-up to Visit Malaysia 2026. "We did not expect this level of interest. "It's barely halfway through the year but the RM20 million under GSSK and RM30 million under GSSP have been heavily subscribed since applications opened in January. "We are confident the grants will continue next year. For now, we urge more organisers to apply before the end of the year," he said after launching the Visit Malaysia 2026 and Visit Johor 2026 (VJ2026) vehicle stickers for tourism buses at Taman Mawar here today. Present were state Tourism, Arts and Culture director Norazlin Abu Mutalib and Tourism Johor director Mohammad Nazrul Abd Rahim. The initiative, organised with the Johor Tour Bus Operators Association, involved affixing campaign stickers on 70 tourism vehicles to raise public and visitor awareness. Awang Shawal said multiple agencies were committed to making VM2026 and VJ2026 successful through strategic partnerships and aggressive promotional drives. "This collaborative approach will strengthen Malaysia's tourism ecosystem and unlock more economic opportunities, especially for locals and industry stakeholders. "We are confident these efforts will reaffirm Malaysia's position as a premier global destination, with Johor as the gateway for Southeast Asian tourists," he said.
The Star
a day ago
- Business
- The Star
Spice & Soul of Malaysia programme happening this month in KL
Feast on the wide array of Peranakan delights at The Saujana Hotel Kuala Lumpur. — The Saujana Hotel Kuala Lumpur Kuala Lumpur is offering visitors not only a taste of Malaysia's diverse culinary cuisines but also a chance to experience traditional performances this month. This is part of Tourism Malaysia's exciting new programme called 'Spice & Soul of Malaysia', which blends food and culture together. It is also one of the many exciting events happening in the run-up to Visit Malaysia 2026. The programme features Malaysia's 'supper culture' – where people frequent F&B outlets, namely coffee shops and food stall, past midnight – and introduces it to visitors via the 'Midnight Supper' initiative. Through this, visitors can experience similar late-night experiences at participating restaurants, specifically those under the Persatuan Pengusaha Restoran Muslim Malaysia (Presma), a Muslim restaurant operator association in Malaysia. One of these restaurants is Saloma Kuala Lumpur, which will operate until 3am this month. You will be treated to dazzling cultural performance at The Saujana Hotel Kuala Lumpur. — The Saujana Hotel Kuala Lumpur Meanwhile, hotels participating in the Spice & Soul of Malaysia programme include ibis Kuala Lumpur City Centre, Hotel Royal Signature, and The Saujana Hotel Kuala Lumpur. Patrons can enjoy cultural shows, special activities and themed menus. According to Tourism Malaysia deputy director-general (Promotion II) Lee Thai Hung, who was at the launch of the programme in KL recently, the country recorded a whopping tourist expenditure of RM106.8bil last year, with the gastronomy sector contributing 16.1% of the total. Data showed a growth of nearly 1% compared to 2023. 'Gastronomy tourism, which offers local Malaysian food experiences, is a popular activity with tourists both locally and internationally,' Lee said at the event. He added: 'Our rich culinary scene is one of the most appealing factors in the country, making it an important component in boosting Malaysia's economy.'
