Latest news with #ManoharanPeriasamy
Borneo Post
11-06-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Gawai Dayak takes spotlight in KL as part of Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign
Participants sway to the beat during a traditional Gawai dance. KUCHING (June 11): The vibrant spirit of the Gawai Dayak Festival came alive in Kuala Lumpur as Tourism Malaysia partnered with ibis KLCC to host a cultural showcase celebrating Sarawak's unique traditions and culinary delights. Held on Tuesday, the event was also part of the Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) campaign, aimed at promoting the Gawai Dayak celebration to both domestic and international guests. Tourism Malaysia Director-General Datuk Manoharan Periasamy officiated the two week-long event from June 8 to 22. The event highlighted Sarawak's diverse cuisine including Laksa Sarawak, Manok Pansoh (chicken cooked in bamboo), Nuba Laya (wild rice in leaf wrap), Umai, and the iconic 'kek lapis'. Guests were treated to traditional dance performances by a local troupe, showcasing Sarawak's rich cultural heritage and hospitality. 'The event is part of Tourism Malaysia's ongoing efforts to highlight the essence of Sarawak's vibrant culture and for everyone to join in the festivities and experience the warmth of Malaysian hospitality,' said Tourism Malaysia in a statement. According to the board, the event also aims to bridge cultural appreciation between Borneo and Peninsular Malaysia as part of VM2026 promotions. In a related update, Tourism Malaysia reported that the country welcomed 38 million international visitors in 2024, marking a 31.1 per cent increase from 2023 and an 8.3 per cent rise above pre-pandemic 2019 levels. Visitor receipts also surged significantly, generating RM106.78 billion – a 43.7 per cent jump from 2023 and 20 per cent more than 2019. 'This positive trend has carried into early 2025, with the first four months recording 13.4 million arrivals – a 21 per cent year-on-year increase,' Tourism Malaysia added. From January to April 2025, Singapore remained Malaysia's top source market for tourists, followed by Indonesia, China, Thailand, India, Brunei, South Korea, the Philippines, Australia and the United Kingdom. Gawai Dayak ibis KLCC kuala lumpur Tourism Malaysia Visit Malaysia 2026
New Straits Times
09-06-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Batik Air launches first direct flights between KL and Timor-Leste
KUALA LUMPUR: Batik Air has launched a new direct air link between Kuala Lumpur and Dili, becoming the first Malaysian airline to operate scheduled commercial flights to Timor-Leste. The airline said its entry into the emerging Timor-Leste market is a timely and forward-looking move that supports the growth of Malaysia's tourism sector by attracting new travellers from one of Asean's youngest nations. Operated by a Boeing 737 aircraft, the direct flight between Dili and Kuala Lumpur takes approximately four hours and 15 minutes. The twice-weekly service reflects Batik Air's commitment to enhancing regional connectivity through strategic market expansion. With Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA T1) serving as a central hub, passengers from Dili now enjoy convenient onward connections to over 60 destinations across 20 countries, spanning Asia, the Middle East and Australia. Chief executive officer Datuk Chandran Rama Muthy said the airline see enormous potential in this new route, not just in terms of passenger movement, but in the wider opportunity to invite Timorese travellers to discover Malaysia's diverse tourism offerings. "As Timor-Leste expands its global outlook, we are honoured to offer a gateway to Malaysia and beyond, through KLIA's extensive connectivity and Batik Air's growing international network. "Batik Air is proud to play a role in making Malaysia more accessible and attractive to new markets, while contributing to the region's tourism revival and long-term development," he said in a statement. Tourism Malaysia director general Datuk Manoharan Periasamy said the launch of this direct route between Kuala Lumpur and Dili is a timely and strategic effort in strengthening bilateral tourism cooperation. "With Malaysia having welcomed 38 million international visitor arrivals in 2024, we are optimistic that this new connectivity will further enhance visitor numbers and contribute positively to the success of our Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign. "Malaysia's diverse tourism offerings, ranging from world-renowned gastronomy and rich cultural heritage to premium shopping experiences, make it an ideal destination for Timorese travellers seeking quality leisure and business experiences," he said.
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
UnionPay and Tourism Malaysia Seal Strategic Partnership at ITB Shanghai to Power Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026)
SHANGHAI, May 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- UnionPay International and Tourism Malaysia officially exchanged a Memorandum of Collaboration (MoC) today at ITB Shanghai 2025, marking the start of an exciting new journey to enhance travel and payment experiences between China and Malaysia moving towards Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) Campaign. The ceremony was held at the Tourism Malaysia Pavilion between Ms. Zhuang Bei, Vice President of UnionPay International, and YBhg. Datuk Manoharan Periasamy, Director General of Tourism Malaysia, underscoring a shared commitment in strengthening tourism cooperation and enhancing the travel experience for Chinese visitors. Part of this collaboration is an extension of its broader, ongoing efforts to make overseas spending more seamless and familiar for Chinese visitors. In Malaysia, over 90% of merchants accept UnionPay cards, making it more convenient for travellers to pay for both large and small purchases. For bigger ticket items, UnionPay cards are widely accepted, meanwhile for smaller purchases, Chinese visitors can easily use the UnionPay app to make QR code payments. This blend of card acceptance for larger transactions and QR code interoperability for everyday purchases ensures UnionPay cardholders to feel at home while traveling in Malaysia. Both parties are agreed on joint marketing and branding efforts to promote a wider acceptance of digital payments among tourism-related merchants in Malaysia, as well as introducing exclusive travel benefits for UnionPay cardholders. This partnership also supports the objectives of Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026), a national campaign focused on revitalizing international tourism by improving the travel experience and making Malaysia more appealing alongside accessible to Chinese travellers. "We are truly excited to be part of this meaningful collaboration, especially as Malaysia prepares to welcome the world for Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026). Malaysia continues to be one of the most preferred destinations among Chinese travellers—not only because of its rich cultural heritage and natural beauty, but also due to the deep historical and people-to-people ties between our countries. With this partnership, we're proud to contribute to making travelling more seamless and enjoyable for UnionPay cardholders, while supporting Malaysia's broader efforts to boost tourism and economic recovery," said Zhuang Bei, Vice President of UnionPay International. Tourism Malaysia emphasized the importance of strategic partnerships in achieving its 2026 tourism goals. The agency noted that providing trusted and widely accepted payment solutions is a key enabler for increasing tourist satisfaction and encouraging repeat visits. About UnionPay International UnionPay International (UPI) is a subsidiary of China UnionPay focused on the growth and support of UnionPay's global business. Working with over 2,600 partners worldwide, UPI enables card acceptance in 183 countries and regions with issuance in 84 countries and regions. UnionPay International provides high quality, cost effective and secure cross-border payment services to the world's largest cardholder base and ensures convenient local services to a growing number of global UnionPay cardholders and merchants. About Tourism Malaysia Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board, also known as Tourism Malaysia, is an agency under the Ministry of Tourism, Arts & Culture Malaysia. It focuses on the specific task of promoting Malaysia as a preferred tourism destination. Since its inception, it has emerged as a major player in the international tourism scene. The next Visit Malaysia, set to take place in 2026, will commemorate the sustainability of the nation's tourism industry, which is also in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG).For more information, visit Tourism Malaysia's social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube, and TikTok. View original content: SOURCE UnionPay International
The Sun
29-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Tourism Malaysia, Agoda ink strategic pact to boost VM2026 campaign
KUALA LUMPUR: Tourism Malaysia has entered into a strategic two-year collaboration with digital travel platform Agoda to position Malaysia as a top travel destination in Southeast Asia, in line with the Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) campaign. In a statement today, Tourism Malaysia said the partnership, formalised through a Memorandum of Collaboration (MOC), aims to leverage Agoda's digital prowess to highlight Malaysia's diverse attractions to a global audience. It said the joint initiatives will roll out a series of targeted digital campaigns and the use of Agoda's platform and social media channels to showcase Malaysia's unique tourism offerings, from its diverse culinary delights to its scenic wonders, to the forefront of international travel. 'Embracing digitalisation, we value our partnership with Agoda, a global digital platform, to leverage its industry expertise and innovative travel promotion strategies. Together, we are confident in attracting tourists and achieving our VM2026 objectives,' said Tourism Malaysia director-general Datuk Manoharan Periasamy. Agoda, meanwhile, will share its vast global travel insights to benefit Tourism Malaysia's policy planning and bolster existing promotional efforts, focusing on both international and domestic travellers. The collaboration also supports Tourism Malaysia's goal of attracting 45 million international visitor arrivals this year. Agoda Country Director Malaysia Fabian Teja said the partnership underscores Agoda's dedication to connecting Malaysia with travellers worldwide through their innovative technology and engaging content. 'We're excited to collaborate with Tourism Malaysia to showcase the market's unique attractions, including its lush rainforests and rich cultural heritage,' he said. The collaboration will also include joint workshops focusing on traveller behaviour and sustainable tourism practices aimed at enhancing user experience and helping travellers explore Malaysia's diverse destinations. It said the partnership not only highlights Tourism Malaysia and Agoda's commitment to making VM2026 a success but also serves as a catalyst for Malaysia's tourism industry growth.
The Sun
29-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Tourism Malaysia partners Agoda for VM2026 push
KUALA LUMPUR: Tourism Malaysia has entered into a strategic two-year collaboration with digital travel platform Agoda to position Malaysia as a top travel destination in Southeast Asia, in line with the Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) campaign. In a statement today, Tourism Malaysia said the partnership, formalised through a Memorandum of Collaboration (MOC), aims to leverage Agoda's digital prowess to highlight Malaysia's diverse attractions to a global audience. It said the joint initiatives will roll out a series of targeted digital campaigns and the use of Agoda's platform and social media channels to showcase Malaysia's unique tourism offerings, from its diverse culinary delights to its scenic wonders, to the forefront of international travel. 'Embracing digitalisation, we value our partnership with Agoda, a global digital platform, to leverage its industry expertise and innovative travel promotion strategies. Together, we are confident in attracting tourists and achieving our VM2026 objectives,' said Tourism Malaysia director-general Datuk Manoharan Periasamy. Agoda, meanwhile, will share its vast global travel insights to benefit Tourism Malaysia's policy planning and bolster existing promotional efforts, focusing on both international and domestic travellers. The collaboration also supports Tourism Malaysia's goal of attracting 45 million international visitor arrivals this year. Agoda Country Director Malaysia Fabian Teja said the partnership underscores Agoda's dedication to connecting Malaysia with travellers worldwide through their innovative technology and engaging content. 'We're excited to collaborate with Tourism Malaysia to showcase the market's unique attractions, including its lush rainforests and rich cultural heritage,' he said. The collaboration will also include joint workshops focusing on traveller behaviour and sustainable tourism practices aimed at enhancing user experience and helping travellers explore Malaysia's diverse destinations. It said the partnership not only highlights Tourism Malaysia and Agoda's commitment to making VM2026 a success but also serves as a catalyst for Malaysia's tourism industry growth. For more information on Malaysia travel offers, visit Agoda's website or download the mobile app.
