Malaysia is a premier travel destination celebrated for its vibrant cultural melting pot of Malay, Chinese and Indian influences, stunning tropical landscapes, and incredible food scene. From bustling urban hubs to serene rainforests and beaches, the country offers a diverse range of experiences for every type of traveller. In line with the Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) campaign, the Malaysia tourism department aims to showcase the nation’s diverse natural attractions, rich cultural heritage and vibrant tourism offerings. It also plays an important role in strengthening the country’s presence and competitiveness in the global tourism landscape.
Tourism contributes significantly to any country’s economic growth by generating foreign exchange earnings, creating millions of jobs and stimulating infrastructure development. It also acts as a major catalyst for local businesses such as hotels, restaurants and transport services, creating a multiplier effect for the local economy. Throughout 2025, Malaysia welcomed 42.2 million visitors, reflecting a significant 11.2 per cent increase compared to 2024. Through continued collaboration and shared commitment with industry and media partners, Tourism Malaysia is confident of achieving even more sustainable growth in this key market.
To promote the country’s tourism attractions, the organisers invited 41 media representatives from East Asia, Oceania, South Asia and Southeast Asia, including Australia, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, South Korea, Thailand and Vietnam. This initiative serves as a strategic platform to strengthen engagement with international media while positioning Malaysia as a destination renowned for its rich cultural diversity and dynamic tourism offerings, in line with the VM2026 theme: ‘Malaysia: A Culturally Rich and Sustainable Destination’. The organisers also introduced two mascots, the Malayan Sun Bears Wira and Manja, for Visit Malaysia 2026.
The three-day water-themed music festival was held between 30 April and 2 May 2026 at the prominent commercial hub of Kuala Lumpur’s Bukit Bintang, featuring a long list of prominent international DJs, an all-female DJ line-up, local celebrities and cultural performances. Due to the holiday season, huge crowds consisting of local visitors and tourists from different countries assembled at the venue and enjoyed every moment of the music festival, splashing water, cheering each other and dancing to a variety of songs played by the DJs. A record number of visitors, more than 50,000, attended the festival on 1 May. These initiatives also helped boost the economy and support local traders.
“Currently, we are a visa-free country for tourists. India is very important for Malaysia in terms of tourism and trade relations because the country, with a population of 140 crore, will help us boost tourism and support all other stakeholders involved in the business. We are also promoting our activities across the globe, inviting tourists to visit and explore our country. Visit Malaysia 2026 is not only a promotional initiative for tourists but also an opportunity for them to share their experiences of our country,” said Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing, Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Malaysia. The tourism minister and his deputy, YB Chiew Choon Man, themselves took to the stage at the water music festival to encourage participants.
“The Mega Fam Programme remains an initiative that contributes directly to Malaysia’s tourism growth. By providing our international media with first-hand, immersive experiences of our rich cultural heritage and modern attractions, we are building lasting partnerships necessary to ensure the resounding success of tourism promotion beyond Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026),” said YBrs Mohd Amirul Rizal Abdul Rahim, Director General of Tourism Malaysia.
“Now we want to achieve two million tourists from India. For this reason, you can see a large number of flights between Malaysia and India. The advantage we have is our Indian community here, which helps us understand India better. That is why our Batu Caves Lord Murugan Temple is always packed with Indian visitors. India, China and South Asia are our priorities for Visit Malaysia 2026.”
Other Attractions for Fun, Art, and Adventure Lovers
The city tour of Kuala Lumpur and its surrounding locations on the Hop-On Hop-Off (HOHO) bus covers important landmarks such as the Petronas Towers, the Central Market and several other attractions. Immesify Art Gallery, Kuala Lumpur, features around seven immersive zones, each offering a unique blend of digital art, light and interactive storytelling, creating a futuristic experience.
Visitors can also experience adventure activities at Skyline Luge, a popular destination for anyone looking for exciting things to do in Kuala Lumpur. Located amidst the scenic Gamuda Gardens, it is the perfect spot for families, friends and thrill-seekers. Visitors can enjoy gravity-fuelled rides where they control their speed while navigating twisting tracks and banked corners. Whether first-time riders or experienced enthusiasts, every ride promises an unforgettable experience.
Adventure seekers can also try the Hyfly Zipline, launching from a hilltop platform and racing across a dual-line system stretching 380m through lush Gamuda Gardens at speeds of up to 60kph. The experience concludes with either a 15-metre freefall jump or a staircase descent for a gentler landing. With breathtaking panoramic views and high-adrenaline experiences, Skyline Luge Kuala Lumpur offers a wide range of activities suitable for all age groups.
Unlike many other capital cities around the world, Putrajaya is a relatively young city, known for its innovative architecture, community-centric urban planning and long-term vision. It was developed as a new Federal Government Administrative Centre to replace Kuala Lumpur as the administrative capital. The land on which Putrajaya now stands was formerly known as Prang Besar, part of the state of Selangor. Putrajaya Lake has become one of the city’s key attractions, accounting for about 12 per cent of the town’s total area. It serves as both a recreational space and an environmental cooling and filtering system.
Cruise Ride Putrajaya
Cruise is a popular attraction in Malaysia’s administrative capital, offering visitors scenic boat rides across the lake to view iconic landmarks. Cruise Tasik Putrajaya (CTP), the sole cruise service provider, allows visitors to admire more than 20 landmarks from a unique perspective. The cruise route includes views of the Putra Mosque, Seri Wawasan Bridge and Perdana Putra, the Prime Minister’s Office.
Though Kuala Lumpur is the capital city of Malaysia, there are equally attractive tourist destinations across the country. Penang, known as the culinary capital of Malaysia, offers rich street food, the UNESCO World Heritage streets of George Town and beautiful beaches at Batu Ferringhi. Langkawi, an archipelago of 99 islands, is famous for its pristine white-sand beaches, crystal-clear waters and the Langkawi Sky Bridge. Borneo (Sabah and Sarawak) is ideal for eco-tourism, offering jungle treks, orangutan rehabilitation centres, Mount Kinabalu and rich indigenous cultural experiences. Cameron Highlands is a scenic mountainous region known for its tea plantations, strawberry farms and lush greenery, while Malacca is a historic city filled with colonial-era architecture, vibrant museums and the famous Jonker Street night market.
Malaysia is visa-free for citizens of many countries and the tourism officials are betting big on India to boost visitor numbers.