JKKN focuses on arts and culture tourism for VMY2026, aiming to attract international visitors with authentic local experiences.
MELAKA: The National Department of Culture and Arts is prioritising various tourism programmes featuring local arts and culture for the Visit Malaysia Year 2026 calendar.
Its deputy director-general Mohd Radzi Omar stated this initiative aims to showcase the nation’s art, culture and heritage as a primary attraction for both domestic and international tourists.
“Most foreign tourists visit Malaysia to experience our art, culture and heritage because they seek authentic experiences from our uniquely diverse communities,” he told reporters at Dataran Pengkalan Rama.
He spoke following the opening ceremony of the 2025 Straits of Melaka Arts Festival and the 2025 Sungai Melaka Festival officiated by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh.
Mohd Radzi added that JKKN has been running cultural tourism programmes in stages across all states from Perlis to Sabah since February.
He confirmed these programmes are scheduled to conclude in December this year.
The 2025 Straits of Melaka Arts Festival is organised in collaboration with the state government and the Sungai Melaka and Coastal Development Corporation.
“This festival celebrates the diversity and uniqueness of the cultural arts and heritage of the Straits of Melaka while promoting cultural tourism,” he said.
It highlights Sungai Melaka as a symbol of the diaspora of Eastern and Western trading communities that assimilated with local culture.
Mohd Radzi described the festival as a vital platform to energise arts and cultural tourism activities in the state.
He reported that the two festivals held yesterday successfully attracted over 20,000 domestic and international tourists.
The highlight was last night’s Malam Lestari Budaya featuring five different musicals in a large-scale production. – Bernama
