TIONG OFFICIATES ASEAN, ASIA TOURISM RECORDS INITIATIVES FOR VM2026

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 7 (Bernama) -- The ASEAN Tourism Records and Asia Tourism Records, together with the nationwide engagement initiative Meneroka Malaysia Bersama WIRA & MANJA, have received official ministerial officiation in support of Visit Malaysia Year 2026 (VM2026).

The officiation and signing ceremony was conducted by Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing yesterday, marking a key milestone in aligning the Tourism Records initiatives with Malaysia’s national tourism objectives.

The officiation signifies ministerial support for a structured tourism records framework that documents and presentsnon-commercial tourism assets through verified, factual and measurable records, complementing Malaysia’s tourism development strategy under VM2026.

ASEAN Records and Asia Records directors Gillian Ooi and Eldrick Koh, in a joint statement, said the Tourism Records initiatives aim to provide visitors and stakeholders with deeper insights into destinations by presenting tourism value through objective documentation rather than conventional promotional narratives.

“The ASEAN Tourism Records and Asia Tourism Records initiatives focus on recognising tourism assets such as natural and ecological heritage sites, historical and cultural landmarks, publicly accessible tourism attractions and community-based and heritage-managed destinations,” the statement said.

It also stated that as part of the ongoing implementation, the initiatives are carried out alongside Meneroka Malaysia Bersama WIRA & MANJA, a nationwide engagement programme that will journey across all 13 states of Malaysia, promoting tourism appreciation through records, storytelling, cultural interaction and community participation.

The officiation reinforces Malaysia’s position as a regional leader in championing tourism authenticity, heritage preservation and sustainability, while strengthening the country’s visibility at the ASEAN and Asia levels through structured tourism documentation.

It said that the ASEAN Tourism Records and Asia Tourism Records initiatives will continue to support VM2026, encouraging both domestic and international visitors to explore Malaysia through a deeper understanding of Malaysia’s tourism heritage and diverse destinations.

The initiatives were previously launched on Oct 22 during the ASEAN Records Gala Night in Kuala Lumpur and were officiated by Melaka Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Dr Mohd Ali Mohd Rustam.

-- BERNAMA