MalaysianUpdates

Tag: #MalaysiaTourism

  • Ascott Enhances Oakwood Malaysia Portfolio Through Strategic Golf-Front Project in Cameron Highlands

    The Ascott Limited (Ascott) has reinforced its presence in Malaysia’s highland hospitality sector with the opening of Oakwood Cameron Highlands, marking the Oakwood brand’s second property in the country. Owned by Armani Group and managed by Ascott, the 383-key serviced residence is strategically located in Tanah Rata, directly overlooking the fairways of the Sultan Ahmad Shah Golf Club. The launch reflects Ascott’s continued focus on Malaysia’s domestic leisure and extended-stay segments, particularly in established destinations such as Cameron Highlands.

    According to Mondi Mecja, Country General Manager of Ascott Malaysia, the expansion signals confidence in sustained demand for residential-style accommodation in key leisure markets. With its cool climate, established tourism appeal and golf-front vantage point, the property is positioned to meet evolving traveller expectations for spacious, flexible and lifestyle-oriented stays.

    Oakwood Cameron Highlands offers a diverse mix of Deluxe Rooms, Studios and Two-Bedroom Family Suites. Many units are equipped with full kitchens, washing machines and integrated workspaces, catering to multi-generational families, corporate retreats and golf-driven weekend travellers. Complementing the accommodation are lifestyle-focused facilities including Oakbistro, the all-day dining restaurant, and Oaklounge, which overlooks the golf course, creating an inviting setting for both leisure guests and business travellers.

    The property also features a gymnasium, 24-hour reception, on-site laundrette, complimentary WiFi and housekeeping services, delivering a comprehensive serviced residence experience within the highland destination. Its scale and residential configuration further strengthen Ascott’s footprint in Malaysia’s growing highland hospitality landscape.

    To celebrate its opening, Oakwood Cameron Highlands is introducing a limited-time launch offer with Deluxe Rooms starting from RM388+ per night, inclusive of daily breakfast for two. The promotion is available for bookings until 30 June 2026, valid for stays from 1 March to 30 September 2026.

    With this latest addition, Ascott continues to build a diversified portfolio that balances leisure, corporate and extended-stay demand, reinforcing its long-term commitment to Malaysia’s evolving tourism and hospitality sector.

  • Asian Youth Festival 2026 Set to Unite Asia’s Youth in Landmark Celebration Supporting Visit Malaysia Year 2026

    Asian Youth Festival 2026 Set to Unite Asia’s Youth in Landmark Celebration Supporting Visit Malaysia Year 2026

    Explorers World Ventures Sdn Bhd, a Malaysian-based tourism and events company committed to promoting Asia’s rich cultural diversity and lifestyle through immersive experiences, officially announced the Asian Youth Festival 2026 during its grand launch ceremony and press conference held at Saloma Kuala Lumpur. The large-scale youth-centric festival is set to take place from 10 to 12 July 2026 at the Mines International Exhibition & Convention Centre (MIECC), Sungai Besi, in conjunction with Visit Malaysia Year 2026 (VMY2026).

    The launch event was officiated by the Honourable Deputy Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia (MOTAC), YB Tuan Chiew Choon Man, and attended by Visit Malaysia Year 2026 Head of Secretariat Tuan Mohd Akbal Setia, representatives from MOTAC and Tourism Malaysia, dignitaries, celebrity guests, strategic partners, collaborators, and members of the media. In his keynote address, the Deputy Minister commended the private sector’s proactive role in supporting VMY2026, highlighting the Asian Youth Festival as a timely initiative poised to energize Malaysia’s tourism landscape through youth engagement.

    Officially supported by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC), the Asian Youth Festival 2026 is envisioned as a multi-vertical, large-scale platform designed to unite Asian youth under one roof. Spanning more than 1.2 million square feet, the festival aims to foster creativity, inclusivity, and regional friendship while inspiring the next generation to lead with innovation, passion, and cultural pride. The festival also positions Malaysia as the cultural hub of Asia by showcasing the best of Asian food, fashion, entertainment, digital culture, and lifestyle experiences.

    Festival co-founders Chris Avinash and Marina Abdullah shared that Asian Youth Festival 2026 goes beyond entertainment, serving as a collaborative platform created by youth for youth. The three-day festival will transform the venue into a dynamic hub of creativity and connection, featuring live performances, pop-up booths, international guests, interactive sessions, tournaments, and immersive cultural showcases that reflect the vibrant spirit of Asia’s youth culture.

    Seven major themed zones will anchor the festival experience, including live music concerts featuring performers from across Asia, an e-Sports Arena hosting competitive Mobile Legends tournaments, and an ACG & TCG Zone dedicated to cosplay, collectibles, and trading card games. Fashion enthusiasts can explore the Fashion Street showcasing streetwear and emerging designers, while the Asian Food Village will present ten themed streets offering authentic and fusion cuisines from across the continent. The Youth Engagement Zone will host talks, workshops, and future-focused discussions on leadership and entrepreneurship, complemented by the Asian Pickleball Challenge, adding a sporting dimension to the festival.

    The Asian Youth Festival is presented by Explorers World Ventures as the festival owner and strategic tourism platform, in partnership with Memories Entertainment as the official festival partner and production collaborator. Leveraging Explorers World Ventures’ extensive tourism ecosystem and Memories Entertainment’s expertise in large-scale event production and creative execution, the organizers aim to establish the Asian Youth Festival as a flagship annual event that not only celebrates youth culture but also strengthens Malaysia’s position as a premier regional tourism and cultural destination.

  • Global Muslim-Friendly Tourism Gets a Boost with ITC’s Strategic Collaborations

    Global Muslim-Friendly Tourism Gets a Boost with ITC’s Strategic Collaborations

    The Islamic Tourism Centre (ITC) has recently formed a significant partnership with three leading tourism associations—Bumiputera Travel and Tour Agents Association of Malaysia (BUMITRA), the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA), and the Malaysian Inbound Chinese Association (MICA)—with the aim to strengthen Malaysia’s position as a global leader in Muslim-friendly tourism and hospitality (MFTH). The milestone was celebrated during a signing ceremony at One World Hotel.

    This strategic collaboration focuses on organising ‘familiarisation trip’ programmes for Imams from the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and Europe. These curated trips aim to highlight Malaysia’s rich Muslim-friendly ecosystem, including its cultural heritage, natural landscapes, and urban attractions, positioning the country as a prime destination for Muslim travellers.

    During his speech at the event, ITC Director-General Nizran Noordin emphasized that the collaboration represents Malaysia’s commitment to creating a sustainable and robust Muslim-friendly tourism ecosystem. He stated that by engaging influential Muslim leaders from China and Europe, the initiative aims to foster international awareness, generate business opportunities, and strengthen the country’s tourism sector. He also highlighted the success of the pilot programme conducted in January 2024, where 35 Imams from 14 Chinese provinces were welcomed. This initiative resulted in an influx of 58,000 Chinese Muslim tourists, generating RM92.8 million in tourism receipts within just two months.

    The familiarisation trips are set to bring substantial economic benefits, in line with Malaysia’s goal of boosting Muslim tourist arrivals and further establishing the nation’s tourism economy. Malaysia’s continuous top ranking in the Global Muslim Travel Index (GMTI) for nine years underscores its status as a leading Muslim-friendly travel destination.

    The familiarisation trips will begin with MICA’s 7-day, 6-night programme for Imams from China, starting on February 5, 2025. The trip will showcase Malaysia’s Muslim-friendly tourism offerings, including halal-certified restaurants, accommodations, iconic mosques, and other Islamic tourism destinations. The trips will be guided by ITC-certified Muslim-friendly tour guides. Additional trips organised by BUMITRA and MATTA are planned for later in the year, each designed to emphasize Malaysia’s key features as a Muslim-friendly destination.

    As part of the agreement, the participating associations are committed to increasing the number of Muslim tourists visiting Malaysia, in line with the Visit Malaysia 2026 targets. The collaboration will contribute to achieving these goals, making Malaysia a top destination for Muslim travellers.

    The signing ceremony was attended by notable representatives, including Nizran Noordin from ITC, Dr. Wan Muhamad Adam Wan Norudin (President of BUMITRA), Dr. Cindy Seow (Deputy President of MICA), and Datuk Mohd Hizzat Bin Mohd Shah (Vice President of Research and Technology at MATTA). The event was witnessed by YB Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan, Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts, and Culture Malaysia. This collaboration marks a significant step in ITC’s mission to work alongside industry stakeholders, ensuring Malaysia continues to lead in Muslim-friendly tourism innovation, and providing seamless, enriching travel experiences for global Muslim tourists.

  • Sokongan Padu MyBHA terhadap Tahun Melawat Malaysia 2026: Peluang Besar, Cabaran Industri Perlu Diatasi

    Sokongan Padu MyBHA terhadap Tahun Melawat Malaysia 2026: Peluang Besar, Cabaran Industri Perlu Diatasi

    Persatuan Hotel Bajet & Bisnes Malaysia (MyBHA) memberikan sokongan penuh terhadap kempen Tahun Melawat Malaysia (VMY) 2026 yang merupakan salah satu inisiatif terbesar negara dalam mempromosikan Malaysia sebagai destinasi pelancongan global. Menyokong VMY2026, MyBHA turut menekankan beberapa cabaran yang perlu diatasi agar kempen ini berjaya memberikan impak yang maksimum kepada sektor pelancongan Malaysia.

    VMY2026 adalah peluang besar untuk mempamerkan kekayaan budaya, alam semula jadi, dan kemajuan industri hospitaliti Malaysia. MyBHA menegaskan pentingnya merangkumi kepelbagaian jenis penginapan yang ada di negara ini, dari hotel lima bintang hingga penginapan bajet. Dengan menyediakan pelbagai pilihan kepada pelancong, Malaysia boleh menjadi destinasi yang menarik bagi pelancong dari pelbagai lapisan masyarakat dan pelbagai bajet. Ini juga akan memastikan bahawa Malaysia mampu menarik pelancong dari seluruh dunia, tanpa mengira latar belakang kewangan mereka.

    MyBHA menggesa agar semua negeri di Malaysia mengambil bahagian aktif dalam mempromosikan tarikan budaya dan alam semula jadi masing-masing. Pendekatan yang menyeluruh ini akan membolehkan setiap negeri menonjolkan keistimewaannya dan membantu memperkaya pengalaman pelancong yang datang. Oleh itu, adalah penting agar segala usaha pemasaran ini diselaraskan dan dipadukan dengan strategi VMY2026 yang lebih luas.

    MyBHA menyarankan agar kerjasama erat antara sektor swasta dan kerajaan, khususnya Kementerian Pelancongan, Seni dan Budaya Malaysia (MoTAC) dan Tourism Malaysia, lebih diperhebatkan. Melalui kerjasama yang erat ini, sektor pelancongan Malaysia akan dapat mencapai tahap pertumbuhan yang lebih pesat. Selain itu, MyBHA juga menegaskan bahawa hanya pengusaha yang berdaftar dan berlesen yang harus mendapat manfaat daripada kempen ini. Dengan memastikan kepatuhan terhadap peraturan dan standard yang ditetapkan, integriti sektor pelancongan Malaysia dapat dipelihara.

    MyBHA juga menyarankan agar semua ahli industri hotel bajet dan bisnes mengintegrasikan elemen penjenamaan VMY2026, termasuk penggunaan logo rasmi, lagu tema, dan bahan promosi yang selaras dengan kempen ini. Ini adalah langkah penting untuk memastikan bahawa semua usaha pemasaran di dalam dan luar negara berada dalam satu arah yang konsisten dan efektif. Lebih daripada itu, latihan untuk pekerja dalam menghadapi pelancong harus menjadi keutamaan. Penggunaan modul “Mesra Malaysia” yang mendorong nilai kasih sayang terhadap negara serta semangat perpaduan dan keharmonian harus diterapkan dalam interaksi dengan pelancong, menjadikan mereka merasa disambut dengan baik.

    MyBHA juga memberi sokongan penuh terhadap keputusan Menteri Pelancongan, Seni dan Budaya, Dato Sri Tiong King Sing untuk meninjau semula video promosi VMY2026. Video promosi ini adalah medium penting untuk memperkenalkan Malaysia kepada dunia, dan MyBHA berharap ia akan menonjolkan Malaysia sebagai negara yang mempunyai masyarakat berbilang kaum yang hidup harmoni. Memasukkan elemen-elemen seperti penginapan bajet dalam video promosi akan menunjukkan bahawa Malaysia adalah destinasi yang mudah diakses oleh semua pelancong, tanpa mengira demografi atau kedudukan kewangan mereka.

    MyBHA memandang VMY2026 sebagai peluang yang amat bernilai bagi sektor penginapan bajet untuk menonjolkan peranan mereka dalam ekosistem pelancongan Malaysia. Dengan menyokong inisiatif ini, MyBHA berharap dapat memperkasa industri hotel bajet di Malaysia, yang merupakan pilihan penginapan utama bagi pelancong bajet dan mereka yang mengutamakan pengalaman pelancongan yang lebih autentik dan berpatutan.

    MyBHA komited untuk terus menyokong usaha-usaha yang mengembangkan industri pelancongan Malaysia. Dengan kerjasama semua pihak, termasuk sektor swasta, kerajaan, dan masyarakat setempat, Malaysia mampu mencapai kejayaan yang besar melalui VMY2026. Inisiatif ini tidak hanya akan meningkatkan kedatangan pelancong, tetapi juga memberi impak positif kepada ekonomi tempatan serta memperkukuhkan diplomasi budaya negara.