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Tourism Breaking News
a day ago
- Business
- Tourism Breaking News
Malaysia to launch global promotions across the Middle East, Asia and beyond
Post Views: 37 In an exclusive interview with TravTalkME, Mohd Amirul Rizal Abdul Rahim, Head of Secretariat, Visit Malaysia 2026, highlighted that Middle East is their key target market to increase their revenue and global initiatives to promote Visit Malaysia 2026 are underway. He said, 'The Middle East is our key target market to increase revenue in terms of tourism to the country. Visitors from the region are among the highest-spending and longest-staying tourists—on average, they spend 11 days in Malaysia. We see them as a key source for driving tourism preparing for a major global campaign to promote Visit Malaysia through various campaigns. Creating demand is our priority across different countries and market segments. We want to ensure that people know more about Malaysia through promotions across Middle East, Asia and beyond. Our strategy includes strong partnerships with airlines, OTAs, travel agents, industry players, and MICE groups. We're also segmenting our markets, particularly targeting luxury travellers, who are a key focus for us. A major announcement is scheduled for World Tourism Day on 27 September 2025, in Malacca, Malaysia. More than 150 countries will participate in both the World Tourism Conference and the World Tourism Day celebrations. We take this opportunity to launch a bigger scale of Visit Malaysia 2026.'
New Straits Times
22-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
The world meets Malaysia in Melaka
THE world will soon turn its gaze to Melaka. In September, this historic city will host World Tourism Day (WTD) and World Tourism Conference (WTC). Malaysia will welcome more than 3,000 delegates from 159 countries, including tourism leaders, policymakers and industry experts. These events represent more than symbolic recognition. They represent Malaysia's stage rehearsal for Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026), a defining opportunity to showcase the nation's tourism readiness, innovation and world-class hospitality. These aspirations reflect a commitment to revitalising tourism for economic recovery. However, the nation must mobilise efforts from federal leadership to the grassroots to achieve these goals. The theme of WTD, "Tourism and Sustainable Transformation", could not be more timely. It gives Malaysia a platform to highlight its strengths, such as, cultural heritage, ecotourism, Muslim-friendly tourism, digital infrastructure and smart destination planning. Yet even with national frameworks in place, the real transformation must occur where experiences are delivered at the state and community levels. This achievement reflects Melaka's effective coordination, infrastructure enhancements and branding strategies. Melaka, aligned with the national agenda, has emerged as a beacon of tourism excellence through creative promotional programmes, digital innovation and outstanding service. The success of Visit Melaka Year 2024 is demonstrated by the state recording more than 15 million tourist arrivals, which contributed RM12.68 billion to tourism revenue. The Visit Melaka initiative will extend to 2026. The appointment of Chinese actress Fan Bingbing as Melaka's tourism ambassador has elevated the state's image in the Chinese tourism market. It generated more than 1.5 billion digital impressions on WeChat, positioning Melaka at the spotlight of Asia's tourism market. Melaka's preparations for WTD and WTC include a tourism package, digital navigation upgrades, enhancing historical precincts and installing five-star public restrooms in tourist areas. These efforts boost visitor confidence, satisfaction and brand loyalty to the state and the country. Other states would do well to observe and emulate Melaka's approach to VM2026, especially in building niche tourism appeal, whether in food tourism, ecotourism or heritage preservation. At the same time, the tourism industry must focus on quality growth while delivering immersive, high-value travel experiences. Hoteliers, F&B businesses, tour operators and transport providers must raise their service standards, from cleanliness and punctuality to digital integration and multilingual service. * NORENA JAAFAR AKMAL ADANAN Senior lecturer Faculty of Hotel and Tourism Management, UiTM Melaka
The Star
12-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Tourism players encouraged to offer niche packages for Visit Malaysia 2026
Golfing is one of the top trending niche tourism products that many destinations around the world are promoting. — Pixabay Tourism Malaysia has encouraged all states to introduce new tourism packages, including niche interest-based options, in preparation for Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026). Its deputy chairman Datuk Yeoh Soon Hin said this initiative is crucial to attract both domestic and international tourists, while positioning Malaysia as a preferred travel destination. 'To ensure VM2026 succeeds, I urge all parties to support this campaign as a national mission by introducing new tourism products in their respective states. 'Priority should be given to preparing for domestic and international visitors by improving infrastructure, cleanliness, and developing new tourism packages, including those based on special interests,' he told reporters after officiating the Tourism Malaysia Engagement Session with Penang's tourism industry players recently. Yeoh added that such packages would not only diversify Malaysia's tourism offerings but also attract travellers with specific interests such as ecotourism, health tourism, cultural heritage, and agritourism. He emphasised the need to improve connectivity from second- and third-tier cities through strategic collaboration with the Transport Ministry and airline companies to increase routes and flight frequencies from key markets. The Penang engagement session was the 11th one held, following similar sessions done in Selangor, Negri Sembilan, Sabah, Sarawak, Melaka, Pahang, Perak, and Kedah. These sessions aim to provide a platform for stakeholders to share ideas and strengthen preparations for VM2026. Yeoh said the campaign aligns with Malaysia's role as Asean chair this year, presenting an opportunity not only to showcase the nation's tourism appeal but also to demonstrate our leadership in regional tourism development. He said that the Asean Tourism Forum held in Johor in January marked the beginning of Malaysia's international tourism promotion. The country will also host two major global events – the World Tourism Conference and World Tourism Day – in Melaka this September. As of February, Malaysia recorded 6.7 million foreign arrivals, a 31.3% increase compared to the same period last year. The government has set a target of 45 million tourist arrivals and RM270bil in tourism revenue for 2025. 'A total of RM400mil has been allocated for the VM2026 campaign, covering marketing, promotion, and the organisation of key events. In addition, RM130mil in grants will support tourism industry growth through initiatives such as the Travel Promotion Matching Grant, Tourism Sector Support Grant, and Charter Flight Matching Grant,' he said. – Bernama
The Sun
09-05-2025
- The Sun
Police hunt cable theft suspect who fled on PLUS Highway
MELAKA: Police are tracking down a cable theft suspect known as 'Kecik', who fled after being pursued by a Mobile Patrol Vehicle (MPV) unit at Kilometre 216.8 of the North-South Expressway (PLUS) here on Tuesday. Melaka Police chief Datuk Dzulkhairi Mukhtar said the 25-year-old suspect from Teluk Intan, Perak escaped, while his 29-year-old accomplice was apprehended by MPV units from the Melaka Tengah and Alor Gajah District Police Headquarters. 'The suspect's photo has been circulated and we appeal to anyone with information to contact the police,' he told reporters after officiating the closing ceremony of the Basic Light Strike Force (LSF) Course Series 1/2025 at the Melaka Police Contingent Headquarters today. Three days ago, the media reported that police had arrested a man after stopping a Toyota Hilux that was driving against traffic on the PLUS highway at 5.30 am, while his accomplice managed to escape. In the incident, the suspect rammed into four other vehicles, including a lorry, before police found cables in the four-wheel drive during inspection. Meanwhile, Dzulkhairi said the LSF basic course, which began on April 21 and involved six senior officers and 72 lower-ranking personnel, was conducted as preparation for potential incidents such as riots, disturbances, uprisings, and public order disruptions, especially during elections. 'This course also serves as early preparation to ensure Melaka police personnel are on standby in conjunction with Melaka's appointment as the host of the World Tourism Conference (WTC) 2025 and World Tourism Day (WTD) 2025 scheduled for Sept 7,' he said. During the event, Dzulkhairi also presented letters of appreciation to 14 police officers involved in the recent arrest of the cable theft suspect.
The Star
09-05-2025
- The Star
Melaka cops on the hunt for cable thief suspect 'Kecik' after highway getaway
MELAKA: Police are tracking down a cable theft suspect known as 'Kecik', who fled after being pursued by a Mobile Patrol Vehicle (MPV) unit at Kilometre 216.8 of the North-South Expressway (PLUS) here on Tuesday (May 7). Melaka Police chief Datuk Dzulkhairi Mukhtar said the 25-year-old suspect from Teluk Intan, Perak escaped, while his 29-year-old accomplice was apprehended by MPV units from the Melaka Tengah and Alor Gajah District Police Headquarters. "The suspect's photo has been circulated and we appeal to anyone with information to contact the police," he told reporters after officiating the closing ceremony of the Basic Light Strike Force (LSF) Course Series 1/2025 at the Melaka Police Contingent Headquarters on Friday (May 9). Three days ago, the media reported that police had arrested a man after stopping a Toyota Hilux that was driving against traffic on the PLUS highway at 5.30am, while his accomplice managed to escape. In the incident, the suspect rammed into four other vehicles, including a lorry, before police found cables in the four-wheel drive during inspection. Meanwhile, Dzulkhairi said the LSF basic course, which began on April 21 and involved six senior officers and 72 lower-ranking personnel, was conducted as preparation for potential incidents such as riots, disturbances, uprisings, and public order disruptions, especially during elections. "This course also serves as early preparation to ensure Melaka police personnel are on standby in conjunction with Melaka's appointment as the host of the World Tourism Conference (WTC) 2025 and World Tourism Day (WTD) 2025 scheduled for Sept 7," he said. During the event, Dzulkhairi also presented letters of appreciation to 14 police officers involved in the recent arrest of the cable theft suspect. - Bernama
