PETALING JAYA: Malaysians planning their next getaway can expect a host of travel bargains and destination offerings when the Star Karnival Cuti-Cuti Malaysia 2026 begins its six-state tour next month.
Tourism Malaysia, in collaboration with Star Media Group Bhd (SMG) launched the Star Karnival Cuti-Cuti Malaysia 2026, a nationwide tourism initiative aimed at boosting domestic travel, strengthening industry participation and showcasing Malaysia’s diverse attractions in support of the Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM 2026) campaign.
The carnival themed “Discover, Experience, Explore” is expected to attract more than 200,000 visitors nationwide.
It will make its first stop in Pahang from July 3 to 5, before heading to Johor, Sabah, Penang, Selangor and Sarawak in the months that follow.
Deputy Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Chiew Choon Man, when launching the event yesterday at Menara Star, said Star Karnival Cuti-Cuti Malaysia 2026 plays an important role in supporting VM 2026 objectives.
“For Malaysians, Star Karnival Cuti-Cuti Malaysia offers more than just attractive travel deals.
“The carnival supports Tourism Malaysia’s Destinasi Indah, Harga Rahmah initiative, which seeks to make travel more accessible and affordable for Malaysians,” he said.
He said the carnival provides a unique opportunity to discover new destinations, experience cultural performances, enjoy local culinary delights and gain inspiration for future travel adventures across the country.
Chiew noted that about 17.5 million international visitor arrivals were recorded between January and May this year, a 3.4% increase compared to the same period in 2025.
“These achievements reflect the continued confidence of travellers in Malaysia as a preferred destination and reinforce our position as one of Asean’s leading tourism destinations.
“Equally encouraging is the sustained growth of domestic tourism.
“More Malaysians are choosing to explore the wealth of experiences available within our own borders, whether through family holidays, short weekend escapes, cultural explorations or balik kampung journeys,” he said, adding that in 2025, domestic visitor numbers increased by 11.5%, while domestic tourism expenditure grew by 13.6%, compared to 2024.
He added that beyond visitor arrivals and economic contributions, tourism remains a people-centric benefit that directly benefits the communities across the nation.
SMG chief executive officer Chan Seng Fatt said the carnival is designed to bring travellers and tourism businesses together through an engaging platform that makes travel discovery and holiday planning more accessible and convenient.
“Through this initiative, we aim to inspire greater travel participation while supporting the growth of Malaysia’s tourism industry.
“Now in its second year, the carnival builds on the strong support it received from families, local communities, tourism stakeholders and SMEs last year,” he said.
He added that as a homegrown media organisation, Star Media Group is proud to collaborate with Tourism Malaysia in supporting the objectives of VM 2026.
“Leveraging our extensive media reach and platforms, we look forward to promoting Malaysia’s unique destinations and encouraging more people to experience the country’s rich tourism offerings.
“The success of our tourism industry depends on a strong collaboration between governments, agencies, industry players, communities nationwide and the media.
“Star Media Group is proud to play our part in bringing these stakeholders together to initiatives such as this carnival,” he said.
The carnival will be open to the public and feature exclusive travel packages, accommodation promotions, attraction deals, destination showcases, holiday giveaways and travel-planning opportunities.
