Putrajaya, 22 May 2025 – YAB Dato’ Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid Bin Hamidi, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Rural and Regional Development, chaired the Tourism and Culture Cabinet Committee (JKPK) Meeting No. 1/2025 which was held at the Conference Hall, Implementation Coordination Unit, Prime Minister’s Department.
In line with the core strategic aspirations of Malaysia MADANI, particularly in the effort to Rebuild the Economy, this meeting signifies the Government’s strong commitment to boosting the development of the country’s tourism and cultural sectors in an inclusive, sustainable and comprehensive manner.
The meeting was also attended by senior representatives from various key ministries and agencies, including the Ministry of Economy, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Transport, Ministry of Housing and Local Government, Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry, Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL), and the Selangor State Secretary.
In his speech, the Deputy Prime Minister stressed that the tourism sector is one of the main drivers of the country’s economic growth – not only through its significant contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), but also in creating employment opportunities and strengthening the country’s fiscal position in the current account balance. He also urged all ministries and agencies to work closely with the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC), as the lead agency for this sector, to make tourism a collectively driven national agenda. In addition, the Deputy Prime Minister advised that all parties, especially frontline workers such as officers at the country’s entry points, always be friendly and provide the best service to visitors.
Among the main focuses of the meeting were the implementation of the Visit Malaysia 2026 Campaign (VM2026) led by Tourism Malaysia, as well as the Greening Protocol initiative led by DBKL and the Selangor State Government. This integrated approach reflects the Government’s determination to unify policies, plans and actions across ministries and agencies to build a more dynamic and sustainable tourism ecosystem.
To make VM2026 a success, several key strategies have been formulated to increase international visitor arrivals and increase national income from the tourism sector. These include:
- Empowerment of the Malaysia Truly Asia (MTA) and Cuti-Cuti Malaysia (CCM) brands;
- Implementation of joint promotion campaigns with strategic partners including airlines and tour operators;
- Implementation of joint promotion campaigns with strategic partners including airlines and tour operators;
- Malaysia Mega Sale
- Malaysian Cultural Festival
- Global Meet
- World Tourism Day & World Tourism Conference
- Official Launch of the VM2026 Campaign
- VM2026 Year-End Sale
- VM2026 Welcome Threshold
Issued by:
CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS UNIT
MINISTRY OF TOURISM, ARTS AND CULTURE (MOTAC)
Tel: 03-8000 8000 Fax: 03-88917181
Website: www.motac.gov.my Email: group.ukk@motac.gov.my
Facebook, Instagram & X: @mymotac
