Tourism Malaysia today welcomed both domestic and international visitors with a vibrant Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration across nine airports nationwide, held in conjunction with the Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) campaign. The main celebration took place at Kuala Lumpur International Airport Terminal 1, alongside simultaneous welcoming ceremonies at eight other airports in Selangor, Penang, Johor, Kedah, Perak, Sabah and Sarawak.

The welcoming ceremony at KLIA Terminal 1 was officiated by Mr. Chua Choon Hwa, Deputy Secretary-General (Tourism) of MOTAC. Also present were Mr. Mohd Amirul Rizal Abdul Rahim, Director General of Tourism Malaysia, and Mr. Lee Thai Hung, Deputy Director General (Promotion II) of Tourism Malaysia.

Following the Chinese New Year celebrations in February, this series of cultural festivities continues to highlight the richness and harmony of Malaysia’s multicultural society. Visitors were warmly greeted with festive souvenirs at the arrival hall and invited to enjoy traditional Hari Raya Aidilfitri delicacies, reflecting the nation’s signature hospitality and vibrant cultural heritage that define the Malaysia Truly Asia experience.

The atmosphere was further enlivened by Aidilfitri-themed Malay cultural performances, while VM2026 mascots Wira and Manja made special appearances to delight visitors. Among the highlights were a traditional kacau dodol demonstration and a buka lemang gimmick, both of which showcased beloved festive treats that are synonymous with Hari Raya celebrations in Malaysia.

This programme was successfully delivered through strategic collaboration with various stakeholders, including ministries and agencies under MOTAC, airlines, corporate sponsors and tourism industry associations. Participating partners included Malaysia Airports Sdn. Bhd., Batik Air, QSR Brands (M) Holdings Bhd, Spritzer Berhad, Mitsui Outlet Park KLIA Sepang, LaKanVo Premium, Adabi Consumer Industries Sdn. Bhd., BOH Plantations Sdn. Bhd., Fraser & Neave Holdings Bhd, Watsons Personal Care Stores Sdn. Bhd., Gamuda Berhad, Grab Holdings Limited, Oriental Kopi Holdings Berhad, Photobook Worldwide, Vanzo Holdings Berhad, Fiscor Food Sdn. Bhd., My Blockchain Infrastructure Sdn. Bhd., Zus Coffee, TBH Wellness Sdn. Bhd., Kek Lapis Warisan Sdn. Bhd., Kraftangan Malaysia and Borneo Empurau Farm & Resort.

The strong participation from these partners reflects a collective commitment to promoting Malaysia’s tourism industry while enhancing the overall visitor experience in line with the Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) campaign.

As the country’s main gateway, KLIA is expected to receive a significant surge in arrivals during the Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration period. Approximately 28 flights carrying an estimated 5,000 passengers from destinations such as Singapore, Jakarta, Manila, Beijing, Chengdu, Shanghai, Perth, Dubai, Brunei and Istanbul are expected, reflecting the growing momentum of the VM2026 campaign.

Organising Malaysian festive celebrations at airports remains one of Tourism Malaysia’s key strategies under VM2026 to create a meaningful arrival experience, strengthen destination branding and position Malaysia as a culturally rich and safe destination year-round. These initiatives at international gateways play an important role in leaving a lasting positive impression on visitors and encouraging repeat visits.

Tourism Malaysia continues to strengthen the country’s global tourism profile while celebrating its cultural diversity, in line with the objectives of Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) and its commitment to supporting the long-term sustainable development of the tourism sector.