LONDON: Malaysia is targeting 500,000 tourist arrivals from the United Kingdom (UK) as part of the Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) campaign, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
He expressed optimism that the target can be met, citing a significant increase in the number of tourists from the UK during the first four months of this year. He is confident that this upward trend will continue.
“I am satisfied with the efforts carried out by Tourism Malaysia in London, especially regarding the goal of attracting 500,000 tourists from the United Kingdom. I am confident that this target can be achieved,” he said at a press conference following the launch of Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) here on Tuesday.
Earlier, Ahmad Zahid participated in a tourism roundtable session with key players from the UK tourism industry.
During the session, he said that there is a proposal to create a special package for tourists flying with Malaysian Airlines, offering stopover incentives to encourage them to spend time in Kuala Lumpur or other destinations in Peninsular Malaysia.
“I have agreed to bring this proposal to the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture and present it to the Cabinet so that the package can be implemented by 2026.
“Malaysia Airlines had previously offered a similar package with considerable success, so we are optimistic that the suggestion from the Malaysia Airlines manager in London can be adopted and implemented,” he said.
In his opening remarks, Ahmad Zahid noted that in 2024, 390,035 travellers from the UK visited Malaysia, contributing over RM2.5 billion in visitor receipts.
He also highlighted that Malaysia has approved 103 new international routes, 29 additional flight frequencies, and five charter flights.
“All in preparation for Visit Malaysia 2026. I believe these routes represent more than just infrastructure -they are gateways to opportunities for travellers, operators, and investors alike,” he said.
Meanwhile, Ahmad Zahid said he was interviewed by the UK’s leading travel industry publication, Travel Trade Gazette (TTG), as part of efforts to promote Malaysia as a travel destination.
During the session, he highlighted Malaysia’s tourism potential, strategic plans for the VMY2026 campaign, and efforts to strengthen ties with UK travel industry players.
“I also touched on environmental sustainability, enhancing tourist experiences, and Malaysia’s appeal as a unique and welcoming destination.
“With the resumption of British Airways’ daily direct flights to Kuala Lumpur and strong collaboration with travel agencies here, we see great potential to boost Malaysia’s visibility as a preferred destination for travellers from the UK and Europe,” he said in a Facebook post.
He added that the interview will be published in both print and digital formats and distributed across the UK, further supporting efforts to promote VM2026 and attract more international visitors to Malaysia.
Meanwhile, in an interview with Wanderlust, the UK’s leading independent travel magazine, Ahmad Zahid highlighted Malaysia’s appeal as a destination offering authentic, culturally rich, and environmentally sustainable experiences.
In a post on X, he said Malaysia promises extraordinary travel experiences — from its rich biodiversity and vibrant cultural heritage to modern facilities that retain traditional charm, especially for those seeking a taste of rural village life.
He also shared insights into unique offerings such as homestay programmes, community-based tourism with the Orang Asli, the diverse ethnic cultures of Sabah and Sarawak, and the conservation of natural heritage sites like Kinabalu Geopark and Royal Belum — all of which reinforce Malaysia’s position as a world-class ecotourism destination.
“I hope this interview with Wanderlust will help strengthen Malaysia’s promotion of Visit Malaysia 2026, in line with the interests of international travellers, particularly those from the UK who value meaningful and authentic travel experiences,” he said.
