TOURISM Malaysia deputy chairman Datuk Yeoh Soon Hin has called on Penang’s tourism industry players to actively participate in the upcoming Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) campaign, highlighting the significant government support available to boost the nation’s tourism sector.
Speaking at a special engagement session with tourism stakeholders at the Iconic Marjorie Hotel in Bayan Lepas yesterday, Yeoh said the federal government has allocated RM400 million this year to fund promotional and marketing activities in preparation for VM2026.
“On top of that, an additional RM130 million has been allocated through specific tourism grants such as the Geran Galakan Melancong (GAMELAN), Geran Sokongan Sektor Pelancongan (GSSP), and the Geran Sektor Penerbangan dan Charter (GSPC),” Yeoh said.
He urged Penang’s tourism operators to tap into these resources to help strengthen the state’s presence in the nationwide campaign, themed “Malaysia: A Sustainable and Culturally Rich Destination.”
“Penang has long been a beacon of cultural and natural attractions.
“With the right support and engagement, the state can play a leading role in making VM2026 a memorable and impactful campaign,” Yeoh added.
The Penang session marked the 11th in a series of nationwide engagements by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (Motac), following similar sessions in Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Sabah, Sarawak, Melaka, Pahang, Perak, and Kedah.
These sessions are designed to gather feedback and ideas and foster collaboration among industry players ahead of the campaign.
Yeoh also shared promising tourism statistics, revealing that Malaysia welcomed 6.7 million foreign travellers from January to February 2025, a 31% increase from the same period in 2024 and a 14% rise from 2019 levels.
Malaysia is targeting 45 million international visitors and aims to generate RM450 billion in tourism revenue by 2026.
Also present at the event was state Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Wong Hon Wai, who emphasised the importance of inclusivity in executing the VM2026 campaign.
“A whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach is crucial.
“This involves coordination across federal, state, and local levels, as well as strong participation from both the public and private sectors,” Wong said.
He stressed that the success of VM2026 depends not just on government initiatives but also on community engagement and public support.
Story by Kevin Vimal
Pix by Darwina Mohd Daud