By DayakDaily Team
PETALING JAYA, Sept 2: Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Dato Sri Tiong King Sing has urged shopping mall operators, retailers, hoteliers, travel agents and other industry stakeholders to work closely with the government to strengthen Malaysia’s shopping tourism ecosystem.
He said close cooperation was crucial to creating more attractive and memorable experiences for visitors, while positioning Malaysia as a leading shopping destination in conjunction with Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026).
“The success of shopping tourism requires close cooperation between the government and the industry so that we can continue to support shopping malls, retailers, hoteliers, travel agents and other key players in creating unforgettable experiences for visitors,” he said.
His speech was delivered by Deputy Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Chiew Choon Man at the Malaysia Shopping Malls Association Awards Gala Dinner in Petaling Jaya on Tuesday night (Sept 1).
Tiong said shopping had become an important component of Malaysia’s tourism industry, with shopping malls evolving into destinations that bring together retail, lifestyle, culture, food and entertainment.
He said this presented industry players with opportunities to offer visitors experiences beyond conventional shopping, in line with the government’s objective under VM2026 to position Malaysia as a leading shopping destination.
“Shopping tourism is not only about what visitors buy, but also about the experiences and memories they make,” he said.
Tiong said sales campaigns such as the Malaysia Mega Sale and Malaysia Year-End Sale could help stimulate tourist and domestic spending, while providing local businesses, retailers and talents with opportunities to showcase their products and offerings.
He said festive celebrations and cultural activities held at shopping malls could likewise introduce visitors to Malaysia’s rich heritage, customs, food, arts and way of life.
Tiong therefore urged shopping destinations to continuously improve their services, convenience and innovation to remain competitive and attract more domestic and international visitors.
The gala dinner recognised the achievements and contributions of shopping malls and industry players in advancing Malaysia’s shopping mall industry, with awards presented for Best Experiential Marketing, Top Sustainability Practices and the PPK Malaysia Legacy Awards. — Bernama
