Kuala lumpur: Promotional strategies to ensure the success of Visit Malaysia Year 2026 (VM2026) must be detailed according to the suitability of target groups to ensure the effectiveness of the campaign in attracting tourists, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. He emphasized that marketing approaches should not be generic, as each tourist segment has different interests.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Ahmad Zahid stressed the necessity of subsequent actions to follow up on promotional efforts. He highlighted that relying on a single form of publicity is insufficient and strategies must align with respective target groups. Speaking to reporters after flagging off participants of the Malaysia Night Music Run, held in conjunction with the Visit Malaysia 2026 Runs, he underscored the importance of tailored marketing strategies.

Commenting on the running event, Ahmad Zahid, who is also Chairman of the VM2026 Cabinet Committee, expressed his admiration as participation reached more than 5,000 runners, far exceeding the initial target of 3,000 participants. He noted the significance of organizing sporting events like marathons to attract foreign tourist arrivals.

He stated, 'It is hoped that many international participants will take part in marathons like this, and with good publicity, we will see an increase in foreign tourists, which will certainly help generate the country's economy.' Ahmad Zahid also praised the efforts of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) and Tourism Malaysia for their proactive organization of familiarization trips for wholesalers, retailers, airlines, and media practitioners to promote tourism comprehensively.

Earlier in the morning, the KL10 event, a 10-kilometre run involving more than 2,000 runners, was flagged off by Kuala Lumpur Mayor Datuk Fadlun Mak Ujud.