SUBANG: Travellers arriving at Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport or Subang Skypark were thoroughly surprised with the warm Malaysian welcome as part of Tourism Malaysia's nationwide celebration across major international gateways and transportation hubs.
Marking the official launch of the Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) campaign, travellers were greeted with vibrant Malaysian cultural performances and contemporary showcases infused with heritage elements, alongside appearances by the official mascots, Wira and Manja.
The first groups of travellers arriving at Subang Skypark were welcomed by Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry deputy secretary-general (management) Surendran Sathasivam and Tourism Malaysia deputy director-general (promotion II) Lee Thai Hung.
Also present were Tourism Selangor chief executive officer Chua Yee Ling, Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB) chief executive officerTan Mei Phing, the ministry information management division secretary Hasfadilailanorita Ibrahim and Syaiful Nazri Ghazali from Islamic Tourism Centre.
The nationwide welcome celebrations were made possible through close collaboration with state governments, airlines, airport authorities, tourism industry players and strategic partners.
These contributions, ranging from vouchers, food and beverage products to souvenirs and attraction discounts, enhanced the arrival experience for travellers while showcasing Malaysia’s warmth, harmony, diversity and vibrant tourism offerings.
This synchronised celebration across airports, border checkpoints and key transportation terminals serves as a powerful symbol of Malaysia’s readiness to welcome the world.
Airports across Malaysia marked the start of VM2026 at midnight on 1 January with coordinated arrival activities held at 19 airports nationwide, including KL International Airport (KLIA).
Senior Airport Manager Ahmad Fikri Samsudin said they are working closely with Tourism Malaysia and other government agencies to ensure the success of VMY2026.
“The cooperation will help ease travel in terms of passport clearance, readiness as well as safety and security of travellers using Subang Skypark.
“In terms of other preparation we have upgraded our check-in counters, departures, immigration counters as well the surroundings ambiance and cleanliness of toilets.
“Subang has always been the choice for business travelers due to its location near to Kuala Lumpur, fast clearance and simple terminal. We offer several international destinations as well as all the domestic airports,” he said.
As the country’s gateway operator, Malaysia Airports has strengthened its network ahead of VM2026 to ensure smooth, reliable and welcoming arrivals, supported by efficient operations and upgraded facilities across both international and domestic airports.
Recognising that the VM2026 experience begins at every entry point, Malaysia Airports also accelerated upgrades at other airports, including Penang International Airport, Kota Kinabalu International Airport and selected domestic gateways. Enhancements include the rollout of Self Service Bag Drop, cashless parking systems, escalator upgrades, as well as surau and washroom refurbishments, ensuring consistency in service quality across the network.
