By DayakDaily Team
BINTULU, Feb 18: Tourism Malaysia has stepped up its efforts to promote the nation’s tourism and cultural sectors with the Chinese New Year 2026 celebration at Bintulu Airport on Tuesday (Feb 17).
Held from 10am to 1pm, the programme went beyond a festive celebration, serving as a strategic platform to advance the Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) campaign by highlighting the richness and uniqueness of Malaysia’s cultural heritage to visitors arriving in the division.
According to Sarawak Public Communication Unit (Ukas), arrivals from both within the country and overseas were greeted with a vibrant, colourful atmosphere, reflecting Malaysia’s reputation as a friendly, harmonious, and culturally diverse tourism destination.
The event began with a symbolic Yee Sang tossing ceremony, embodying unity, prosperity, and wellbeing, which perfectly aligns with VM2026’s goal of fostering togetherness among Malaysia’s multi-ethnic communities and visiting tourists.
A lion dance performance at the arrival hall became a focal point of the celebration, offering newly arrived visitors a glimpse of traditional Chinese art and culture.
Adding to the cultural showcase, an exhibition of Malaysia’s traditional attire allowed guests to appreciate the country’s diverse ethnic costumes, reinforcing Malaysia’s standing as a top cultural tourism destination.
The official VM2026 mascots, Wira and Manja, joined in the festivities with themed appearances, creating interactive photo opportunities and spreading festive cheer among visitors.
Morning arrivals from Kuala Lumpur and Kuching were warmly welcomed with lively receptions, demonstrating Tourism Malaysia’s commitment to enhancing the arrival experience for tourists in Bintulu.
Through events like this, Tourism Malaysia underscores its determination to promote culture-based tourism and reinforce Malaysia’s appeal as a must-visit destination ahead of VM2026. — DayakDaily
