Kuala lumpur: The Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry (MOTAC) is shifting part of its promotional and marketing focus for the Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) campaign to markets that are not affected by ongoing conflicts and wars.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, MOTAC secretary-general Shaharuddin Abu Sohot stated that promotional efforts are now being directed towards markets such as Japan, South Korea, China, Australia, and other Asian countries. This strategy aims to ensure the continued positive growth momentum of Malaysia's tourism sector despite global conflicts.
"So far, the Visit Malaysia campaign has been progressing smoothly. We just want to shift part of our focus," he mentioned. He elaborated that for countries involved in conflicts, MOTAC is redirecting its attention to stable markets like Japan, Korea, China, Australia, and Asian countries regarding promotion and marketing. Shaharuddin shared these insights with reporters after officiating the Tadau Kaamatan and Gawai Day celebrations at the International Arrival Hall of Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Terminal 1.
The country's tourism sector performance in the first quarter of this year remained strong, reflecting the effectiveness of the government's promotional initiatives. Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Tiong King Sing previously noted that Malaysia achieved a milestone by receiving more than 10.6 million international tourists between January and March this year, marking a 5.4 percent increase compared to the same period last year.
Earlier, Shaharuddin officiated the Tadau Kaamatan and Gawai Day celebrations held at KLIA Terminal 1's International Arrival Hall. The event was organized to promote Malaysia's cultural diversity in conjunction with VM2026. It featured cultural dance performances and the distribution of souvenirs to tourists arriving from various international destinations, offering them a warm Malaysian welcome upon arrival.
Tadau Kaamatan and Hari Gawai are harvest festivals celebrated by indigenous communities in Sabah and Sarawak, serving as an expression of gratitude for a successful harvest and the prosperity they enjoy.