KUALA LUMPUR: Tourism Malaysia is bringing the Kaamatan and Gawai festivals to life at three main airports by welcoming domestic and international travellers as part of the Visit Malaysia Year 2026 (VM2026) campaign.
The three-day celebration began on Saturday (May 30) at Kota Kinabalu International Airport and continued at KL International Airport (KLIA) Terminal 1 on Sunday (May 31).
Kuching International Airport is scheduled to hold the celebration on Monday (June 1).
The initiative is a strategic partnership with the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry and Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB).
It aims to showcase the unique cultures and traditions of Sabah and Sarawak as major tourism draws.
Arriving passengers were warmly greeted with special souvenirs and served dodol, a traditional delicacy.
The gesture symbolises the hospitality of Malaysia's multi-ethnic and multi-cultural people.
The KLIA Terminal 1 ceremony was attended by the ministry's secretary-general Datuk Shaharuddin Abu Sohot.
Also present were Tourism Malaysia acting deputy director-general Wizani Rosmin and Malaysian Hotel Association president Datin Christina Toh.
A Mega Familiarisation (Mega Fam) programme is also running from May 29 to June 5.
It features 15 media representatives and influencers from the Philippines, Vietnam, China, South Korea and India.
The eight-day programme will showcase the unique culture and heritage of both festivals and also reinforces Malaysia's status as a culturally rich tourism destination.
Tourism Malaysia reported that international arrivals continue to trend upward.
Arrivals rose 5.4% to 10.6 million for the period ending March this year. This is up from 10.1 million during the same period last year.
The performance reflects strong momentum in the country's tourism sector under VM2026.
Malaysia is pushing to solidify its position as a leading culture-based destination on the global stage.
