Tourism Malaysia director-general Mohd Amirul Rizal Abdul Rahim said the carnival, held at Sunway Pyramid from Oct 23 until today, aimed to encourage Malaysians to holiday within the country.
The launch was attended by Star Media Group (SMG) group chief executive officer Chan Seng Fatt, SMG chief operating officer Lydia Wang, Tourism Malaysia deputy director-general Wizani Rosmin and senior director Mohd Roslan Abdullah.
Mohd Amirul said the carnival’s four previous editions recorded combined sales of RM2.5mil, expressing hope that the Selangor edition would build on that success.
Malaysia recorded 151.6 million domestic tourist trips up to June this year, generating RM66.8bil in spending, a 14% increase from the corresponding period last year, he added.
The carnival features 40 booths offering deals on water theme parks, travel packages, resorts, glamping sites, museums, zoos and other attractions.
Selangor was chosen as the host state after recording 36.4 million domestic tourist trips.
It also saw 48 million domestic tourist trips to other destinations, up from 37 million the previous year.
This year’s theme, “Explore, Experience and Excite”, encourages Malaysians to discover local destinations, including lesser-known attractions and nature-based experiences.
“Domestic tourism is important in keeping spending within the country while supporting tourism operators, accommodation providers, attractions and local businesses,” Mohd Amirul said.
He also thanked SMG, tourism industry players and sponsors for supporting efforts to strengthen domestic tourism and encourage Malaysians to explore local destinations.
“This carnival will help sustain interest in domestic travel as Malaysia continues its tourism promotion efforts into 2027.”
Among the exhibitors, Ombak Dive Resort on Perhentian Island is offering a reduced booking deposit of RM100 for packages covering scuba diving, snorkelling and other activities, compared with its usual RM200.
Its representative, Mustaqim Ismail, said visitors could also enjoy activities such as fire shows, movie screenings and coral planting, with programmes available for non-divers as well.
Trinidad Hospitality is promoting packages at its hotels and resorts in destinations including Langkawi, Fraser’s Hill, Kuala Lumpur, Kuantan, Melaka and Johor.
Desaru Fruit Farm is offering a two-day, one-night package at Desaru Coast for RM699 per room, including breakfast and water park access for two adults.
Visitors could also enjoy activities at the fruit farm, including all-terrain vehicle rides and animal encounters.
Visitor Daniel Tan, 38, who attended with his family, said the carnival offered a convenient way to compare packages and discover local attractions.
“Sometimes we tend to look at overseas destinations, but Malaysia also has many interesting places to visit,” he said, adding that the promotions could help families plan their year-end holiday while keeping expenses manageable.
Another visitor, Mohd Redzuan Hassan, 42, attended with his two sons and said the island packages caught their attention as the family was interested in outdoor activities such as scuba diving.
Nurul Suhadah said she was exploring offers while considering destinations for an upcoming trip.
