KUALA LUMPUR, May 31 — 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 yesterday at Kota Kinabalu International Airport, followed today by Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Terminal 1, said Tourism Malaysia in a statement today. Kuching International Airport is scheduled for tomorrow.
A strategic partnership with the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) and Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB), the initiative 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 beloved traditional delicacy, symbolising the hospitality of Malaysia’s multi-ethnic, multi-cultural people,” the statement read.
The KLIA Terminal 1 ceremony was attended by MOTAC secretary-general Datuk Shaharuddin Abu Sohot, Tourism Malaysia acting deputy director-general (Planning) Wizani Rosmin, and Malaysian Hotel Association president Datin Christina Toh, along with representatives from MAHB, airlines and local tourism industry players.
Coinciding with the celebration, a Mega Familiarisation (Mega Fam) programme is running from May 29 to June 5, featuring 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, while reinforcing Malaysia’s status as a culturally rich tourism destination,” the statement read.
On other developments, Tourism Malaysia reported that international arrivals continue to trend upward, rising 5.4 per cent to 10.6 million for the period ending March this year, up from 10.1 million during the same period last year.
The performance reflects strong momentum in the country’s tourism sector under VM2026, as Malaysia pushes to solidify its position as a leading culture-based destination on the global stage. — Bernama