Johor may extend its Visit Johor 2026 tourism campaign into next year to give the initiative a greater push, following the Federal Government’s decision to prolong the Visit Malaysia campaign.
State unity, heritage and culture committee chairman P. Pannir Selvam said the proposal came after industry players requested more time to weather global economic pressures and ongoing conflict in the Middle East, as both had increased airfares and disrupted travel.
“Hopefully by next year, the situation will improve and we can fully benefit from both tourism campaigns,” he told reporters during a family reunion for Johor’s fourth mentri besar, Datuk Mustapha Jaafar, at Muzium Tokoh Johor in Johor Baru.
Pannir Selvam said he would present the proposal to Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi, clarifying that the move was not a reflection of a failing campaign.
“It is not because Visit Johor has not been successful.
“The concern is that current global uncertainties have made people cautious about travelling.
“When people worry about the economy or international conflicts, they tend to postpone travel plans,” he said.
The Perling assemblyman said he had also proposed setting up a tourism task force comprising representatives from the industry, Tourism Johor and local councils to strengthen collaboration.
He said the task force would serve as a platform for stakeholders to share ideas, address challenges and identify new initiatives to attract more visitors to the state.
Meanwhile, Mustapha’s family representative Aiza Ismail said almost 70 descendants and relatives of the former mentri besar attended the gathering.
“This is an annual affair for our family, but this year is extra special as we get to have our reunion at the museum,” she said, adding that Mustapha was also related to the son of Johor’s first mentri besar, Datuk Jaafar Muhammad.
