SEPANG: The Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry is shifting part of its promotional and marketing focus for the Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) campaign to markets that are not affected by ongoing conflicts and wars.
Its secretary-general Shaharuddin Abu Sohot said promotional efforts are now being directed towards markets such as Japan, South Korea, China, Australia and other Asian countries to ensure the continued positive growth momentum of Malaysia's tourism sector.
"So far, the Visit Malaysia campaign has been progressing smoothly. We just want to shift part of our focus," he told reporters after launching the Tadau Kaamatan and Gawai Day celebrations at Kuala Lumpur International Airport Terminal 1 on Sunday (May 31).
The country's tourism sector performance in the first quarter of this year remained strong, reflecting the effectiveness of the government's promotional initiatives, he added.
Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing previously said Malaysia achieved a new milestone by receiving more than 10.6 million international tourists between January and March this year, an increase of 5.4% compared with the same period last year.
Earlier, the Tadau Kaamatan and Gawai Day celebrations held at KLIA Terminal 1's International Arrival Hall featured cultural dance performances and souvenir distribution to international visitors to promote Malaysia's cultural diversity in conjunction with VM2026.
Tadau Kaamatan and Hari Gawai are harvest festivals celebrated by indigenous communities in Sabah and Sarawak as an expression of gratitude for a successful harvest and the prosperity they enjoy. - Bernama
