TOURISTS LAUD MALAYSIA’S SAFETY, DIVERSITY AS VM2026 KICKS OFF

SUBANG, Jan 1 (Bernama) -- Malaysia continues to strengthen its position as a safe and family-friendly tourism destination under the Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) campaign, with its cultural diversity and multi-ethnic attractions remaining key factors drawing international tourists to the country.

For Japanese visitor Kohei Oyamada, 44, Malaysia is seen as an ideal family holiday destination, particularly in terms of safety, public facilities, as well as the wide variety of food options and tourist attractions that cater to travellers with children.

“Malaysia is among the most family-friendly travel destinations. It is safe for children, and the food offers a wide range of choices. The diversity of cultures here also adds to the richness of its food, religions and places to visit,” he said when met upon arrival via a transit flight from Singapore here today.

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His third visit to Malaysia was made more meaningful as it was accompanied by his wife and child, reflecting the growing confidence of international tourists in Malaysia’s image as a family holiday destination.

Meanwhile, Ciara Blake, 24, said that apart from visiting her aunt and uncle, her trip to Malaysia also provided an opportunity for the young scientist from Ireland to explore the country’s unique culture and lifestyle, particularly through its gastronomy.

“The food is definitely one of the highlights. I’m really looking forward to visiting the hawker centres again and enjoying as much as I can before heading back,” he said. 

The tourists received a warm welcome upon arrival at Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (SAAS) during the Visit Malaysia 2026 welcoming ceremony organised by Tourism Malaysia today.

The ceremony was held simultaneously at 55 main entry points nationwide, including airports and land borders, selected by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture as part of the official launch of the VM2026 campaign.

Meanwhile, Malaysia Airports senior manager for Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport Ahmad Fakri Samsudin said the airport is ready to accommodate an increase in passenger traffic in conjunction with VM2026, in line with its role as a strategic gateway to the Klang Valley.

He said various improvement efforts are currently being implemented to support the smooth running of the campaign and to ensure the best possible experience for arriving passengers.

“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.

According to him, SAAS, which complements the role of Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), has the advantage of being located closer to Kuala Lumpur city centre.

“Based on our data, the passenger profile here largely consists of business travellers who favour the strategic location as well as simple and fast clearance processes,” he said.

He added that SAAS has recorded a significant increase in daily passenger movement from 4,000 to 7,000 following an increase in flight frequencies by airlines.

Apart from the corporate segment, the airport is also a preferred choice for tourists travelling to popular domestic destinations such as Langkawi, Penang and Kota Kinabalu, in line with efforts to boost domestic tourism under VM2026.

At present, SAAS handles about 15 jet flights and 25 Avions de Transport Régional (ATR) flights daily, connecting passengers to five international destinations, including Singapore, Jakarta, Hong Kong and Kunming, China, as well as all major international airports in Peninsular Malaysia.

The Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign was officially launched today through the Visit Malaysia 2026 Countdown Festival, a large-scale New Year’s Eve celebration held at Pavilion Kuala Lumpur.

The countdown, attended by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, marked the beginning of efforts to build early momentum in the national tourism sector towards the target of 43 million international tourist arrivals, in line with the aspiration of positioning Malaysia as a leading global tourism destination.

-- BERNAMA