International visitors highlight Malaysia’s family-friendly appeal and cultural richness as the Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign officially launches nationwide.
SUBANG: Tourists arriving in Malaysia have lauded the country’s safety and cultural diversity as key attractions, coinciding with the official launch of the Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) campaign.
Japanese visitor Kohei Oyamada, 44, described Malaysia as an ideal family holiday destination.
He highlighted the country’s safety, public facilities, and wide variety of food and attractions suitable for children.
“Malaysia is among the most family-friendly travel destinations.
The diversity of cultures here also adds to the richness of its food, religions and places to visit,” he said upon arrival at Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (SAAS).
Irish scientist Ciara Blake, 24, said her trip provided a chance to explore Malaysia’s unique culture and lifestyle through its gastronomy.
She expressed excitement about revisiting local hawker centres during her stay.
The tourists were welcomed at a VM2026 ceremony held simultaneously at 55 main entry points across the country.
The campaign aims to attract 43 million international tourist arrivals and position Malaysia as a leading global destination.
Malaysia Airports senior manager for SAAS, Ahmad Fakri Samsudin, said the airport is ready for increased passenger traffic under VM2026.
He noted various improvements are underway to enhance the passenger experience.
“We are focusing on improvements at the departure hall and immigration counters, as well as ensuring better toilet cleanliness and a more welcoming airport environment,” he said.
SAAS complements Kuala Lumpur International Airport with its strategic location closer to the city centre.
The airport has seen daily passenger movement increase significantly from 4,000 to 7,000 following more flights.
The airport is also a key gateway for tourists heading to domestic destinations like Langkawi, Penang and Kota Kinabalu.
It currently handles about 15 jet and 25 ATR flights daily to several international and domestic locations.
The VM2026 campaign was officially launched through a New Year’s Eve countdown festival at Pavilion Kuala Lumpur, attended by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
