by DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Jan 23: Malaysia’s Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture recently held discussions with tourism ministers from several Asean member states and partner countries to strengthen regional ties and plan initiatives for 2025, setting the stage for Visit Malaysia Year 2026 (VMY2026).
On his social media posts, Minister of Tourism, Arts, and Culture Dato Seri Tiong King Sing highlighted several initiatives discussed including expediting memorandum of understanding (MoU) signings and planning joint initiatives, with an emphasis on Muslim-friendly tourism, MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, and Exhibitions), wellness tourism, and cultural industries with the Philippines, and Muslim-friendly tourism packages with Cambodia.
During the bilateral meeting between Malaysia and Thailand, Tiong emphasized the need for both countries to optimise border crossing procedures while ensuring border security.
“Given that Malaysia and Thailand are considered affordable yet high-value destinations in the Asean region, even spending by short-term visitors or excursionists (tourists who do not stay overnight) should not be overlooked,” he said.
“Such activities should be included in tourism statistics for a more accurate reflection of the sector’s economic contributions,” he said.
His sentiments were shared by Thailand’s Minister of Tourism and Sports Sorawong Thienthong, underscoring the importance of mutual benefits and shared goals to achieve a promising future for tourism between Malaysia and Thailand.
As 2025 marks the Asean-India Tourism Year, the ministry also engaged in discussions with India, an Asean partner country, to explore opportunities to leverage cultural similarities and diversify tourism offerings, including wedding destinations and cruise tourism, with the aim to unlock India’s vast travel potential.
Tiong suggested to the Minister of Tourism India, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat that both nations should leverage their cultural similarities and diversity to establish more platforms for cultural exchange.
In 2024, Malaysia welcomed approximately one million visitors from India.
“While this is encouraging, it represents only a fraction of the potential, given India’s vast travel market.
“We aim to strengthen our partnership by developing tourism products aligned with market trends and demands, such as wedding destination and cruise tourism. These efforts will foster greater interaction and frequent exchanges between the peoples of both countries,” Tiong shared.
The ministry held bilateral meetings with Asean member states from Jan 19 to 20, 2025. – DayakDaily
