Malaysia has just launched a major initiative to attract more visitors to the country.
Last year, Malaysia welcomed 27.3 million tourists. However the government has ambitious plans to increase that figure by 30 percent to 35.6 million by 2026.
To help achieve that goal, the government has devised a special promotional campaign called Visit Malaysia 2026, which kicked off in Kuala Lumpur this week.
Prime Minister, YAB Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim, attended the first day of the event, unveiling the campaign’s logo, mascot, theme song and aircraft livery.
The logo symbolises Malaysia’s vibrant culture, natural beauty and global appeal.
It will be displayed on the aircrafts of Malaysia Airlines, Batik Air and AirAsia.
The campaign has adopted the Malayan Sun Bear as its mascot – a proud endangered species and a symbol of Malaysia’s commitment to wildlife conservation.
Designed in a lovable, animated style, the Malayan Sun Bear aims to appeal to all ages, further enhancing the country’s image as a welcoming destination for tourists.
Kuala Lumpur is seeking to emulate the success of its neighbour Thailand in maximising its revenues from international tourism.
Thailand received in excess of 35 million foreign visitors in 2024, earning over £40 million pounds from the tourism sector.
Malaysia offers visitors a wide variety of attractions, from lush rainforests and epic reefs in Borneo to the street art and beautiful mosques and temples in its peninsular cities.
The capital, Kuala Lumpur, is home to colonial buildings, busy shopping districts such as Bukit Bintang and skyscrapers such as the iconic, 451 metre tall Petronas Twin Towers.
It is also known for the Batu Caves, a popular Hindu shrine with a gigantic golden statue and rainbow-coloured steps.
Another great place to visit is Penang city with its lively markets and stunning street art.
The city’s hawker markets are an epic mix of Indian, Chinese, and Malay.
Penang is also home to Georgetown, a UNESCO World Heritage site with beautiful colonial architecture and cultural landmarks.