Kuala lumpur: Tourism Malaysia rolled out a vibrant and colourful reception for inbound travellers at Kuala Lumpur International Airport Terminal 1 (KLIA 1) today, ushering in the 2026 Chinese New Year (CNY) in festive style.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the steady rhythm of drums and a high-energy lion dance performance echoed throughout the Arrival Hall, immersing visitors in the spirit of the celebration. The event was officiated by the Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Tiong King Sing, who was joined by the senior leadership of Tourism Malaysia. Tiong presented souvenirs inspired by the CNY celebration and Visit Malaysia Year 2026 (VM2026) as a gesture of appreciation to travellers arriving in the country.

Speaking to reporters, Tiong stated that the programme aimed to extend a warm festive welcome to both international and domestic tourists arriving in Malaysia for the Chinese New Year. He expressed gratitude to industry partners and friends who participated in the event at KLIA 1, wishing everyone a Happy Chinese New Year.

A Bernama survey conducted as early as 7 am revealed that travellers eagerly stopped to capture moments at the specially curated CNY installations, which transformed the International Arrival Hall into a sea of red, symbolising prosperity, joy, and good fortune. The official VM2026 mascots, Wira and Manja, were also a major attraction, with visitors posing for photographs with the Sun Bear characters, inspired by one of Southeast Asia's distinctive native species found in Malaysia.

Through the VM2026 campaign, Malaysia is targeting 43 million international arrivals in 2026, highlighting its commitment to strengthening tourism as a key driver of the nation's economic growth.