MELAKA KEEN TO HOST VM2026 LAUNCH

MELAKA, Feb 21 (Bernama) -- The Melaka government is keen to host the launch of Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026), said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh.

He said Melaka is a suitable venue for the event as the state will be hosting the World Tourism Day (WTD) and the World Tourism Conference (WTC) 2025 this September.

"As the host of WTD and WTC 2025, Melaka will welcome an estimated 155 tourism ministers from around the world, which will help promote VM2026.

bootstrap slideshow

"We have submitted a request to the federal government to collaborate with the Melaka government to host the VM2026 launch during the conference," he told reporters in Banda Hilir last night.

He said this after launching the Bahtera Merdeka Rally, held in conjunction with the anniversary of the Declaration of the Independence Date of the Federation of Malaya. 

Ab Rauf said Melaka’s status as a well-known tourism destination, both locally and internationally, along with its success in attracting over 15 million visitors during Visit Melaka Year 2024 (TMM 2024), strengthens its bid to host the VM2026 launch.

bootstrap slideshow

Following the success of TMM 2024, the state government has decided to extend its tourism promotion efforts through the TMM initiative into next year.

He also said over 75,000 people visited 13 tourist attractions for free in conjunction with the public holiday marking the anniversary of the Declaration of the Independence Date of the Federation of Malaya yesterday.

Various cultural and artistic performances were showcased to visitors and tourists at the Bahtera Merdeka Rally venue.

Additionally, a parade was held to re-enact the historic proclamation of Malaya’s independence date by Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj on Feb 20, 1956.

-- BERNAMA