Tourism Malaysia Secures Major Wins at the Arabian Travel Awards 2025

Tourism Malaysia has secured two prestigious honours at the 8th Arabian Travel Awards 2025, winning ‘Best National Tourism Organisation (NTO) Southeast Asia’ and ‘Best Destination Marketing Initiatives’ during a ceremony held at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Dubai Business Bay. These accolades affirm Malaysia’s strong standing as a preferred travel destination in the Middle East and highlight Tourism Malaysia’s dedication to delivering impactful promotional and marketing strategies in the lead-up to Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026). Representing the organisation, Mr. Mohd Faharuddin Hatmin, Director of Tourism Malaysia in Dubai, accepted the awards before an audience comprising over 100 prominent figures from the region’s travel, hospitality, and media sectors.

Tourism Malaysia’s Director General, Datuk Manoharan Periasamy, expressed deep appreciation for the recognition, noting that it reflects the agency’s unwavering commitment to showcasing Malaysia’s diverse tourism experiences. He emphasised that as the nation approaches VM2026, efforts will be intensified through strategic partnerships, expanded air connectivity, and strengthened outreach initiatives to ensure long-term, sustainable growth within the region. Malaysia continues to demonstrate strong tourism performance, recording 28.2 million international arrivals from January to August 2025—an increase of 14.5 per cent compared to the same period in 2024. This growth reinforces the appeal of Malaysia’s vibrant cities, pristine islands, cultural richness, and culinary diversity.

The awards also align with Malaysia’s broader preparations for VM2026, which aims to welcome 47 million international visitors. Enhanced air accessibility forms a crucial part of these plans, including the introduction of Batik Air’s daily flights from Dubai to Kuala Lumpur starting 1 January 2026, complementing existing routes operated by Emirates, Etihad, Flydubai, Air Arabia, and others. These collective efforts underscore Malaysia’s focus on strengthening its presence in key markets and positioning the country as a leading global destination in the years ahead.