KUCHING: The Star Karnival Cuti-Cuti Malaysia roadshow has received praise from both local and international visitors for celebrating Malaysia's warmth, cultural diversity and tourism products, reinforcing the country's appeal ahead of Visit Malaysia 2026.
The three-day carnival brought together a lively showcase of domestic tourism, culture, food and lifestyle in the heart of Kuching. Thousands of visitors thronged Plaza Merdeka on the opening day to explore booths featuring hotels, homestays, travel agencies, theme parks and local delicacies from across the country.
Co-organised by Tourism Malaysia and Star Media Group, the event marked the third instalment of the nationwide roadshow aimed at boosting domestic travel and offering vibrant, family-friendly experiences to the community.
Among those captivated by the event was Margaret Murray from Ireland, who said she was drawn to the country after befriending Malaysians while living in the United Kingdom.
"That's where I met my Malaysian friend from Kuching. I've come over to meet and stay with her family several times," she said.
Murray described the roadshow as a meaningful initiative that highlights Malaysia's multicultural identity and tourism potential.
"I think it's a really brilliant idea and very harmonious, because there are people here from many different backgrounds. It's a very good way to promote your beautiful towns and country," she said.
She also took the opportunity to explore the city's main bazaar, where she was awed by the range of Sarawak-made products.
"The artefacts and retail items are very beautiful. I especially love your jewellery made by the native people. People should come to Malaysia for the friendliness of the people, the food, the scenery and all the beautiful things you sell and promote," she said.
Local travel agency AJ Borneo Tours & Travels also took part in the roadshow to promote Sarawak's eco-tourism and wildlife attractions.
Company representative Umi Norzie Allizha said the agency focuses on adventure and nature-based tours across Sarawak and Sabah.
"AJ stands for Adventure Journey and we specialise in tours around Borneo, particularly in Sarawak and Sabah.
"Our services include car rentals, hotel reservations, air ticketing and transport arrangements, as well as guided travel experiences," she said.
Umi said Sarawak offers unique opportunities for visitors to observe orang utan in their natural habitat and at conservation sites.
"There are three main places where you can see orang utan – Batang Ai National Park, Semenggoh Wildlife Centre and Matang Wildlife Centre," she said.
"Batang Ai is the only one where orang utan can be found in the wild, while Semenggoh focuses on rehabilitation and Matang on conservation."
The Sarawak Cultural Village (SCV) was another highlight of the event, drawing crowds eager to learn about the state's diverse heritage.
Pierre Littbaski Anak Ghani, 35, a public relations training executive at SCV, said the carnival provided a valuable platform to promote cultural tourism and connect with the public.
"Firstly, we want to thank The Star for organising this carnival. We were also part of The Star Carnival 2020 Malaysia when it was held in Kuching and we are very grateful to be invited again this year," he said.
He said that while SCV is well known locally and internationally, the event was an opportunity to highlight ongoing improvements and attract new visitors.
"Even though the Sarawak Cultural Village has been around for a long time, we still see this as a chance to further promote what we offer.
"Some visitors may not be fully aware of our admission rates, our activities or the enhancements we've made," he said.
Meanwhile, Akal Homestay Pusa supervisor Abang Asnawi, 30, said the event offered rural tourism operators a chance to showcase their products to a wider market.
"We're showcasing several special products from Pusa, including gula apong (palm sugar), garam apong (palm salt), kuih sepit lemantak, tumpik and manisat made by our local villagers," he said.
He said Akal Homestay offers various accommodation types for families and groups.
"We have several homestay units, including wooden houses, brick houses and VIP houses, with two- and three-bedroom options that can accommodate between two and nine guests," he said.
Visitors to the booth also enjoyed discounts and souvenirs.
"We're offering up to 50% discounts on our homestay packages. Guests can earn vouchers by purchasing our products and answering quizzes and we're also giving away key chains as souvenirs," he said.
The roadshow in Kuching forms part of a nationwide series designed to promote domestic tourism and encourage Malaysians to rediscover the country's diverse attractions ahead of Visit Malaysia 2026.
