OFFICIAL LAUNCH OF VM2026 IN COLLABORATION WITH THE MELAKA STATE GOVERNMENT
MELAKA, 27 September 2025 – Tourism Malaysia, in collaboration with the Melaka State Government has officially launched Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) in a prestigious ceremony, held at Encore Melaka. This momentous occasion is further underscored by its alignment with two major events—the celebration of World Tourism Day (WTD) and the hosting of the 7th World Tourism Conference (WTC) 2025.
The highly anticipated event was officiated by the Honourable Prime Minister of Malaysia, YAB Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim, and further honoured by the presence of YB Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia, alongside key state dignitaries and industry leaders, reflecting a unified commitment to the success of VM2026.
In his address, YAB Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Prime Minister of Malaysia, emphasized the significance of the event, stating: “As we look toward VM2026, Malaysia is sending a clear message to the world that we are ready to welcome travellers with open arms and open hearts. We want every visitor to experience more than just a destination; we want them to gain a deeper understanding of who we are as a nation—diverse, dynamic, and deeply rooted in tradition with hospitality.”
YB Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia, further added: “A key focus of VM2026 is our strong commitment to sustainable and responsible tourism. By enhancing ecotourism offerings and protecting our natural assets such as, rainforests, marine parks, and national heritages—we aim to preserve Malaysia’s cultural identity while providing meaningful economic opportunities for local communities.”
VM2026 is expected to generate far-reaching benefits beyond the tourism sector, delivering tangible prosperity to surrounding communities, enhancing cultural expression, and stimulating growth across related industries such as hospitality, transportation, retail alongside culinary services. By driving this broader economic impact, VM2026 aims to create lasting value for the nation and its people.
Between January and July 2025, Malaysia welcomed 24.5 million international visitor arrivals—representing a significant 16.8% increase compared to the same period in 2024. Notably, this figure also marks a 16.0% rise over pre-pandemic levels in 2019.
This sustained growth reflects Malaysia’s strengthened position as key travel hub in the region and sets a strong foundation for Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026), which targets 47 million international visitor arrivals.
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About Tourism Malaysia
Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board, also known as Tourism Malaysia, is an agency under the Ministry of Tourism, Arts & Culture Malaysia. It focuses on the specific task of promoting Malaysia as a preferred tourism destination. Since its inception, it has emerged as a major player in the international tourism scene.
The next Visit Malaysia Year, set to take place in 2026, will commemorate the sustainability of the nation's tourism industry, which is also in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG).
Furthermore, Tourism Malaysia actively endorses the Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT), working towards the realisation of the IMT-GT Visiting Year 2023-2025, with the shared aim of promoting the region as a unified tourism destination. For more information, visit Tourism Malaysia’s social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and TikTok.
For enquiries, please contact:
Zurina Bt Abd Samad
Senior Deputy Director
VM2026 Secretariat (Digital & Advertising Division)
zurina@tourism.gov.my
Tel: +603 8891 8702
Norshariza Mohd Saad
Deputy Director
Corporate Communications Division
norshariza@tourism.gov.my
Tel: +603 8891 8775
