Tag Archives: Malaysia

AirAsia X (AAX) announced a long-awaited route to Istanbul, Türkiye, a city where East meets West. Travellers from Singapore can now access the heart of Türkiye with smooth connectivity via Kuala Lumpur. The new service between Kuala Lumpur and Istanbul will commence on 14 November 2025 with four weekly flights, strengthening AAX’s global footprint and offering more affordable travel options to one of the world’s most iconic destinations. This strategic launch marks AAX’s long-anticipated entry into Europe, opening a vital gateway linking Southeast Asia to Europe via one of the world’s most historically rich and geographically unique destinations. Straddling two continents across the Bosphorus Strait, Istanbul offers travellers the rare opportunity to experience the best of both worlds. The airline will operate from Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW), a major hub with connections to over 117 international and 40 domestic destinations. This provides guests from Southeast Asia even greater onward travel options, while giving travellers from Istanbul and beyond seamless access to AirAsia’s network of 130 destinations at unbeatable value. Benyamin Ismail, CEO of AirAsia X said: “Istanbul has always been a dream destination for many of our guests, and its launch marks another proud moment in our journey to rebuild stronger than ever. Hot on the heels of our recent expansion into Central Asia, this long-awaited route takes us one step closer to delivering longer connectivity across continents. As the only city in the world built on two continents, Istanbul perfectly captures our vision to bridge Asia and beyond through affordable, medium-haul travel. This is a strategic decision that strengthens our network, creates more pathways for business collaboration, and enhances access to new experiences for travellers around the world. With …

In an exclusive interview with TravTalk ME, Datuk Manoharan Periasamy – Director General of Tourism Malaysia shared that they expect to close the year with one million visitors from the Middle East region. “Last year, Malaysia welcomed 194,000 visitors from the Middle East. Given our strategic initiatives, increased connectivity, and renewed market engagement, we are setting our sights much higher. Based on current airline capacity planning and market interest, we confidently project welcoming more than one million visitors from the Middle East by the end of 2025.” Speaking on some of the key initiatives that they are currently working on, Periasamy reiterated, “We recognise the growing need to introduce more B2C-focused programs tailored for the Middle Eastern market. We’ve observed that younger travellers from this region are increasingly exploring destinations other than Malaysia—possibly due to a perception that Malaysia lacks activities or products that cater specifically to their interests and lifestyles. In response, we have initiated collaborations with trusted local partners in the Middle East to develop “soft adventure” and lifestyle experiences that appeal to the younger demographic. While families from the region continue to choose Malaysia as a preferred holiday destination, we aim to re-engage younger travellers who are currently exploring alternatives in neighbouring countries. Our industry discussions and trade events with Middle Eastern operators have highlighted a key challenge: accessibility. While Malaysia receives a considerable number of Middle Eastern visitors—many of whom travel for religious purposes—the seat capacity between major cities in Saudi Arabia and Kuala Lumpur remains limited. To address this, we are actively working with key airlines including Riyadh Air and flynas. We are optimistic about launching direct routes from Saudi Arabia to Malaysia—potentially as early …

The Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia, through its agency Tourism Malaysia announced that Malaysia welcomed 194,440 tourists from Middle East region in 2024. Tourism Malaysia also launched “Visit Malaysia”  (VM2026) latest video which highlights surreal experiences in Malaysia. The Malaysian delegation is led by The Honourable Dato Sri Tiong King Sing, the Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia, who is accompanied by Datuk Manoharan Periasamy, Director General of Tourism Malaysia. The delegation consists of 82 different organizations, which include five (5) state tourism boards, 34 tour operators, 35 hotels and resorts, five Tourism Products, two tourism associations alongside one airline. The Honourable Dato Sri Tiong King Sing, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, said: “Our multipronged VM2026 strategy provides a comprehensive framework to boost Malaysia’s visibility, enhance destination accessibility and elevate our tourism offerings.” The VM2026 logo, a symbol of Malaysia’s vibrant culture, natural beauty, and global appeal, serves as a visual representation of the country’s readiness to welcome tourists from around the world. Adopted as the campaign’s official icon, the Malayan Sun Bear, a proud and endangered species, reflects Malaysia’s deep commitment to wildlife conservation. Designed in a lovable, animated style, the mascot is intended to resonate with audiences of all ages, evoking a sense of warmth and joy while enhancing Malaysia’s image as a welcoming and family-friendly destination. Official VM2026 theme song, titled “Surreal Experiences” captures the essence of Malaysia’s unique offerings. This song will be a key component of the campaign to attract global attention and engage visitors with the enchanting experiences Malaysia has to offer. Malaysia is eager to welcome 45 million international visitors and to achieve RM270 billion (USD60.8 billion) in tourism receipts by 2025. …

Al Rais Travel clenched the title of ‘Top Performing Travel Agent for Malaysia in UAE’ at the seventh edition of the Arabian Travel Awards 2024. “It is a great feeling. You try to do all your best to support the industry and work hard for the industry. And then you get recognised by people, which is a very good feeling, and it is very encouraging to give more. We are trying to adapt to the market, the changes with technology, with AI, not only in B2C or only on selling, but also in adapting in operation and other aspects of the organisation. We would like to adapt to these changes.” -Mohamed Jassim Al Rais, Executive Director, Al Rais Travel and Shipping Agencies

Speaking at the special press conference at ASEAN Tourism Forum, Mohd Amirul Rizal Bin Abdul Rahim, Head of Visit Malaysia 2026 Secretariat shared that Middle East is a very important source market and they will be focusing on two key aspects family and GenZ or millennials. He further stated that the new campaign will be announced in a number of road shows in the Middle East over the next few months to share more details on the extensive programme that they have prepared to welcome visitors to Malaysia. He reiterated that Visit Malaysia 2026 will be unique as they target high yield tourists as well as tourists who seek sustainability when they travel. However, the theme for the year will be ‘Malaysia: a sustainable destination and rich in culture”.

In a recent interview with tourismbreakingnews.ae Nuwal Fadhilah Ku Azmi, Director International Promotion Division, North and East Asia, covering Asia and Africa shared that they are expecting a double increase in terms of tourism numbers from the GCC. Last year, Malaysia welcomed 164,568 tourists from the region, representing a substantial increase of 85.88% compared to 88,534 tourists in 2022. Therefore, we are optimistic that the arrivals from this region will double compared to last year. In mid-2024, Malaysia’s tourism sector showed strong recovery and growth in tourist numbers compared to previous years. Malaysia experienced a significant increase in international arrivals in 2024, with a 28.9% growth from January to June compared to the same period in 2023. Specifically, the West Asia market saw a rise from 56,592 tourists in the first half of 2023 to 85,559 tourists in 2024, an increase of 51.2%. Malaysia has been actively refining its strategies to attract visitors from the West Asian market. Tourism Malaysia will continue to collaborate with national carriers and foreign airlines through the Charter Flight Matching Grant (GSPC) to increase air traffic from the West Asian market to Malaysia. As of now, the number of flights for the year 2024 is 138 per week with a seating capacity of 41,956 from the UAE, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Oman. Leveraging air connectivity to increase arrivals to Malaysia and rejuvenating offerings will further enhance Malaysia’s appeal as a preferred tourist destination in this region. Tourism Malaysia and Emirates signed a Memorandum of Collaboration (MOC) for a joint promotion campaign at the Arabian Travel Market 2024. In general, our marketing approach for 2024 is geared towards high-impact and fast conversion strategies by …

Etihad Airways and Batik Air Malaysia have enhanced their cooperation with the launch of a codeshare partnership to boost connectivity for passengers of both airlines. Etihad’s guests can now seamlessly access eight domestic and international locations via Batik’s hub at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL), enjoying the combined services and networks of both carriers on a single ticket. Additionally, guests enjoy the convenience of having their luggage smoothly transferred to their final destination. The agreement now allows Etihad guests to conveniently travel to five new domestic codeshare destinations in Malaysia: Johor Bahru, Langkawi, Penang, Kota Kinabalu and Tawau; along with three international points, Da Nang and Hanoi in Vietnam, and Perth in Australia. With the agreement, both inbound and outbound Malaysia passengers will have a wider choice of flights on the combined networks. Batik’s network is now easily accessible to customers, who can connect via its gateway in Kuala Lumpur, served by twice-daily Etihad flights from Abu Dhabi. Arik De, Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer at Etihad, said: “This collaboration significantly enhances our codeshare network, offering travellers seamless access to five key destinations in Malaysia, including the idyllic island of Langkawi, the culturally and culinary rich city of Penang, and Kota Kinabalu, the gateway to Borneo’s tallest peak Mount Kinabalu. “Equally, we eagerly anticipate extending a warm welcome to customers from Asia visiting our home in Abu Dhabi, experiencing our renowned hospitality, as well as passengers connecting to Etihad’s growing global network in the Middle East, Africa, and Europe via our Abu Dhabi hub.” Datuk Chandran Rama Muthy, Chief Executive Officer of Batik Air Malaysia, said: “Through this partnership, we aim to welcome visitors globally to explore Malaysia’s diverse attractions, …

dnata has partnered with Malaysia-based Batik Air, formerly known as Malindo Air, to bolster the airline’s newly launched route between Dubai and Kuala Lumpur. Batik Air began operating four weekly services from Dubai to Malaysia’s capital city in November 2023. This marked the airline’s second route launch in the Middle East this year, following its successful introduction of flights between Jeddah (KSA) and Kuala Lumpur in August. dnata Representation Services will act as the airline’s general sales agent (GSA) in the UAE, providing a comprehensive range of travel services and local infrastructure for sales, marketing, and distribution support. Drawing interest from UAE-based travellers, Batik Air has introduced attractive fares starting at AED 1,299 for Economy Class and AED 3,499 for Business Class return flights. Simon Woodford, Vice President Global Air Services at dnata Travel Group, commented: “The reopening of Asia has sparked a rising trend in travel from the UAE, with a growing number of people seeking to explore the diverse landscapes and cultures of the continent. In Malaysia, cosmopolitan Kuala Lumpur and the beautiful coastlines beyond – including Langkawi – are increasingly popular. We are delighted to support Batik Air locally, as it opens more options for travel between the UAE and Malaysia.” Datuk Chandran Rama Muthy, Group Strategy Director of Batik Air, added: “Malaysia is rapidly gaining recognition as a vibrant destination, known for its natural beauty, cultural richness, and warm hospitality, with a growing significance for business partnerships and cultural exchanges. With the launch of our direct flights from Dubai to Kuala Lumpur, travellers now have easier access to explore the country. Whether planning a leisurely getaway, a family vacation, or an important business trip, our affordable …

Tourism Malaysia Office in Dubai was recognised as the “Best NTO South East Asia. Director Tourism Malaysia Dubai office, Rosnah Mustafah, reiterated, “ thank you to the organisers DDP Group and the jury for this prestigious award, it is a great responsibility as now we need to work to ensure that we maintain and excel even further. Tourism Malaysia Dubai has actively participated in Travel conferences and exhibitions including Arabian Travel Market 2023, Destinations Seminar presentation with Airlines and Agents and Familiarization Trips for Agents and Media to Malaysia for Middle East Market.” HE Datuk Seri Ahmad Fadil bin Shamsuddin, Ambassador of Malaysia to the UAE graced the occasion of Chief Guest presenting the awards to the stars of the night. It was an amazing night of celebration as the sixth edition of the Arabian Travel Awards concluded recognizing the stars of the travel, tourism and hospitality industry at the Sofitel downtown Dubai. The Chief Guest H.E Datuk Seri Ahmad Fadil Bin Shamsuddin Ambassador of Malaysia to the UAE gracing the occasion shared, “It is an honour and privilege for me to be invited to join the experts in the travel, tourism, and hospitality industry this evening. To the organiser, DDP Group, please accept my appreciation and gratitude in organising the 6th edition of the Arabian Travel Awards, which recognises the contribution of the leaders of travel, tourism and hospitality in the Middle East. ”

Emirates and Batik Air Malaysia announced a codeshare agreement, allowing Emirates’ customers to access 5 domestic Malaysian cities and 3 regional South East Asia points operated by Batik Air via Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA). The Minister of Transport Malaysia, YB Tuan Anthony Loke, graced the launch and lauded the strategic partnership between Emirates and Batik Air, emphasising the numerous opportunities it offers to travellers worldwide. “We are pleased with the partnership, which has the potential to strengthen Malaysia’s role as a prime gateway to the region. We hope to see an increase in KLIA traffic, especially to facilitate connectivity to regional destinations.” The enhanced cooperation was introduced by Orhan Abbas, Emirates’ Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations (Far East) and Datuk Chandran Rama Muthy, Group Strategic Director of Batik Air. Also present at the launch event were Anand Lakshminarayanan Emirates’ Senior Vice President Revenue Optimisation and Airline Partnerships and Saeed Mubarak, Emirates’ Country Manager in Malaysia. In line with the agreement, Emirates will place its code on Batik Air-operated flights to Penang, Kuching, Kota Kinabalu, Langkawi, Johor Bahru, Denpasar, Jakarta and Singapore, offering customers a seamless travel experience as they connect to new destinations using a single ticket, and convenient baggage policy. Emirates’ customers will also have the option to stopover in Kuala Lumpur before proceeding to their final destinations. The airline will further gain access to eight additional destinations operated by Batik Air via Kuala Lumpur for interline transfers. Orhan Abbas commented on this partnership: “Malaysia is an important market in our Far East network and we’re pleased to offer increased connectivity and more options for our customers to new and exciting destinations. Through this partnership, we’ll further expand …