THE Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry (Motac) will strive to help states upgrade existing tourist destinations and establish new ones to attract more visitors, says minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing.
He said some states had sought help from the Federal Government as they lacked sufficient funds to develop tourist attractions.
“We must make an effort to secure allocations for the states.
“To all states, let’s work together to bring in more tourists,” he said when launching the Festival Budaya Malaysia (FBM) 2026 - “WOW Malaysia” at Taman Tasik Titiwangsa in Kuala Lumpur.
He said the festival was also held at the same venue and in Johor Baru (Johor) last year, as well as in Ipoh (Perak) from June 25 to 28 this year.
Tiong said the festival had attracted some 772,192 visitors and generated a return on investment of RM56.5mil.
“This achievement proved that FBM has big potential in promoting Malaysia’s art, culture, heritage, and tourism.
“The public, local food and beverage vendors, public transport drivers, artists and small entrepreneurs, can also benefit from the economic opportunities the festival provides.
“This is the true value that we want to bring through tourism.
“Its growth and benefits need to be felt by the people.”
Tiong added that various activities, such as traditional art performances and cultural exhibitions showcasing the unique heritage of the entire nation would take place at Taman Tasik Titiwangsa during the festival, which ends today.
“We enliven our culture through this festival so that it can be seen, felt, appreciated and passed down to future generations.
“Every craft, batik pattern, piece of music, and performance comes together to tell Malaysia’s story.
“This is the kind of Malaysia we want to showcase to the world – a country rich in diversity, but still united under one national identity,” he added.
Tiong also urged Malaysians to welcome every tourist with friendliness while maintaining environmental cleanliness and beauty, noting that every experience tourists take home becomes part of Malaysia’s global image.
Also present at the event were Motac secretary-general Datuk Shaharuddin Abu Sohot and Kuala Lumpur mayor Datuk Seri Fadlun Mak Ujud.
