Over 3,000 delegates expected for World Tourism Day and conference this September

LANGKAWI: More than 3,000 delegates from 159 countries are expected to converge in Melaka for World Tourism Day (WTD) and the World Tourism Conference (WTC), scheduled to take place from Sept 27 to 29.
Both events, themed 'Tourism and Sustainable Transformation', are set to enhance Malaysia's standing as a global tourism hub.
Tourism Malaysia deputy director-general (Planning) Shahrin Mokhtar said the two high-impact international events would help strengthen the country's tourism industry.
"In January, the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry (Motac) successfully hosted the Asean Tourism Forum (ATF) 2025 in Johor, marking a pivotal moment in promoting Malaysia on the world stage.
"Following that, WTD and WTC will take place in Melaka this September," he said during an engagement session and symbolic flag handover ceremony for Visit Malaysia Year 2026, held at Parkroyal Langkawi Resort here today.
The ceremony was officiated by the state's Economic Planning Division director, Junaidi Abdul Rani.
First introduced by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) in 1980, World Tourism Day is celebrated on Sept 27 each year. It aims to recognise the contributions and significance of tourism in shaping global social, cultural, political and economic values, as well as its role in the future of sustainable energy.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

The Star

5 hours ago

• The Star

Educating travellers key to combating travel scams, says deputy Tourism minister

KOTA KINABALU: The Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry is working closely with relevant agencies to tackle the rise of online travel scams, particularly those involving fake travel promotions. Its Deputy Minister Datuk Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan said the spread of such scams has become a growing concern, especially as more Malaysians rely on online platforms to make travel bookings. 'We are aware that online scammers are spreading, especially through fake travel promotions. That is why the ministry, in collaboration with the Communications Ministry and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), is working on strategies to curb these scams,' he said. Khairul Firdaus noted that while it is not easy to eliminate scams entirely, the ministry believes that user education is a crucial step in preventing people from falling victim. 'Education is key, especially for users. Still, we cannot blame users 100%, which is why the ministry has partnered with several agencies to address the issue,' he told reporters after launching the N26 Moyog Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (PGRS) annual conference. Also present was Moyog Gagasan Rakyat division head Datuk Ceasar Mandela Malakun, who is also the political secretary to Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor. and the division advisor, Datuk John Ambrose. Khairul Firdaus said that his ministry has an operational office that actively follows up on complaints involving travel-related fraud. 'If companies are reported, we will provide the necessary details and clarifications. We are committed to ensuring that consumers are protected and given the correct information,' he said. He also reminded travellers to remain vigilant when dealing with online travel offers and to verify the authenticity of agencies and promotions through official channels. 'This is about maintaining public trust in the tourism industry and ensuring people feel safe when making travel plans,' he said.

Barnama

9 hours ago

• Barnama

Food Diplomacy Charms Cambodians Ahead Of Visit Malaysia 2026

Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing (left) and Cambodia Tourism Minister Huot Hak at the food fest. Photo credit: Bernama The launching of 'Malaysia Food and Culture Fest 2025' in Phnom Penh on Saturday. Photo credit: Bernama By Vijian Paramasivam PHNOM PENH, June 22 (Bernama) - - Malaysia added another flavour to its ambitious Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign by bringing the best of its diverse cuisines to the Cambodian capital on Saturday. Tourism Malaysia organised a special gastronomic fair to promote the country's culinary heritage by hosting the 'Malaysia Food and Culture Fest 2025' in the rain-soaked afternoon of Phnom Penh's monsoon season. bootstrap slideshow Held at the newly designated weekend walk-street along the popular riverside, the symbolic two-day food fair captivated the cosmopolitan Phnom Penh, which itself is known for its vibrant mosaic of international cuisines peddled by foreigners residing in the capital. In his welcoming address at the event, Malaysian Ambassador to Cambodia Shaharuddin Onn said the nation's multi-ethnic food culture is paramount in building Malaysian identity and unity. 'Malaysia has a beautiful mix of people and ethnic groups, from festivals, tradition, languages and customs, and all are living together as a family. 'This spirit of multiculturalism is something we share with Cambodia. This food fest is a showcase of Malaysia's heart and soul,' Shaharuddin said. Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing is leading a Malaysian delegation to Cambodia, from June 18 to 22 June 2025, to ramp up travel ties and strengthen economic momentum ahead of Visit Malaysia 2026. Cambodia Tourism Minister Huot Hak was the special guest at the event. Some 30 Malaysian food and beverage operators and businesses residing in Phnom Penh participated in the colourful event.

The Star

13 hours ago

• The Star

ETS from Gemas to JB to spur tourism

JOHOR BARU: The extension of KTM Bhd's ETS services from Gemas to Johor Baru will improve connectivity to further stimulate the country's tourism industry, say tourism officials. Tourism Malaysia deputy director-general (promotion) Datuk Musa Yusof said the time savings offered by this service, expected to take passengers from KL Sentral to JB Sentral in four hours, augurs well for Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026). 'The ETS will connect Johor Baru straight to Kuala Lumpur and this will definitely help strengthen the industry, especially in terms of tourist movement, allowing them to visit more places. 'If they stay the night for cultural events such as this, it will also help increase hotel occupancy rates here,' he said. Musa added that the spillover effects from the ETS, which reached Segamat in March, could already be seen. 'We can already see Segamat benefiting from this, especially during the durian season,' he said after officiating a Gawai and Kaamatan Festival celebration at a hotel here. On another matter, Musa said that Tourism Malaysia has also been working closely with industry players, including hotels, to promote VM2026. 'We have been having engagement sessions with industry players from north to south to ensure that we are fully prepared for VM2026. 'Among issues that were brought up was the need for stronger collaboration to promote our initiatives, and we've been encouraging industry players to leverage digital media to reach a wider audience,' he said, adding that this preparation involves making sure that tour guides and hotels are fully equipped and ready to provide top-notch services for visitors. Meanwhile, Malaysian Asso­ciation of Hotels Johor Chapter chairman Ivan Teo said the ETS will significantly improve connectivity and give a much-needed boost to tourism. 'One of the most positive developments is the train, which is not just beneficial for domestic travellers, but also for foreign tourists,' he said. Teo added that the improved logistics will make Johor Baru more attractive not only as a destination but also as a gateway to other towns like Segamat and Kluang. 'Logistics is the foundation of tourism. Without good accessibility, it's hard to attract tourists. 'With this, we'll see more people coming, especially during the year-end school holidays,' he added. It is understood that the Phase 2 of the extension of the southern ETS will be from Segamat to Kluang, while Phase 3 will see the train going past Kluang to Johor Baru. However, to date, KTMB has not released any ETS schedule to Johor Baru, the expected journey time from Segamat to Johor Baru, or the expected opening date for the service. In its latest release of advance ticket sales of up to November, no ETS tickets were offered for journeys beyond Segamat.