KOTA KINABALU: Good synergy between government agencies and industry players is key to realising Malaysia’s tourism goals, especially as the nation gears up for Visit Malaysia 2026.
This was the clear message delivered by Deputy Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan at the launching ceremony of the Star Cuti-Cuti Malaysia Carnival (SKCCM), held at Imago Mall, here Saturday (Nov 15).
“What is important is the cooperation between the government and agencies. This synergy is what ensures programmes like SKCCM can be successfully implemented,” he said, stressing how collaboration among Tourism Malaysia, the Sabah Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment (KePKAS), and Star Media Group enabled the carnival to offer an impactful travel experience to Malaysians.
The three-day SKCCM Sabah edition, which began Friday (Nov 14), marks the conclusion of the nationwide “Explore. Experience. Excite.” campaign, a joint effort between Star Media Group and Tourism Malaysia to promote domestic tourism and heritage-based entrepreneurship.
Sabah was selected as the final stop due to its strong tourism potential, both in terms of inbound and outbound domestic travel.
“Sabah is not just known for its friendly people. We have beautiful islands, majestic mountains, and extraordinary ancient forests. This carnival reflects how serious we are about promoting local tourism,” said Khairul, noting that 80 exhibitors participated in this year’s edition, including travel agents, homestay operators, craft artisans, and cultural performers.
He also highlighted affordability as a key concern addressed by the programme.
“We have heard many complaints about expensive airfares. Through this collaboration with Firefly, Malaysia Airlines, and our dedicated tourism partners, we are offering holiday and flight packages at more accessible prices,” he said.
In line with this effort, the launch also saw the unveiling of Fly Borneo Vol. 3: Surreal Experiences, a campaign offering 26 specially curated travel packages covering Sabah, Sarawak, and Labuan.
These packages, promoted alongside airfare discounts from Malaysia Airlines and Firefly, aim to make Borneo’s hidden gems more accessible to Malaysian travellers.
“We want to help the tourism industry maximise returns from the holiday activities of our own people. At the same time, we want to give rakyat the opportunity to enjoy travel at a good value, right here in Malaysia,” said Khairul.
Star Media Group chief executive officer Chan Seng Fatt and Tourism Malaysia deputy director-general (planning) Datin Rafidah Idris were also present at the SKCCM, which showcases Malaysia’s rich cultural diversity, heritage experiences, and community spirit, reflecting the success of the collaboration.
