A nationwide Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration transforms Malaysia鈥檚 key airports into vibrant cultural gateways, enhancing arrival experiences under the Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign
In conjunction with the Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) campaign, Tourism Malaysia delivered a warm festive welcome to both domestic and international travellers through vibrant Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations held across nine airports nationwide. The main event took place at Kuala Lumpur International Airport Terminal 1, with simultaneous welcoming ceremonies organised in Selangor, Penang, Johor, Kedah, Perak, Sabah, and Sarawak, reflecting a coordinated national effort to elevate visitor experiences.
The ceremony at KLIA Terminal 1 was officiated by Chua Choon Hwa, Deputy Secretary General (Tourism) of Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia. He was joined by Mohd Amirul Rizal Abdul Rahim, Director General of Tourism Malaysia, and Lee Thai Hung. Their presence underscored the government鈥檚 commitment to strengthening Malaysia鈥檚 tourism appeal through cultural engagement.
Building on the momentum of the Chinese New Year celebrations earlier this year, the Hari Raya initiative further highlights Malaysia鈥檚 rich multicultural identity. Visitors arriving at the airports were greeted with festive souvenirs and invited to enjoy traditional delicacies synonymous with Aidilfitri. This immersive experience reflects Malaysia鈥檚 renowned hospitality and reinforces its 鈥淢alaysia Truly Asia鈥 branding as a culturally diverse destination.
The festive atmosphere was enhanced by traditional Malay performances, alongside appearances by VM2026 mascots, Wira and Manja. Key highlights included a live kacau dodol demonstration鈥攕howcasing the preparation of a beloved sweet treat鈥攁s well as the symbolic buka lemang activity, celebrating one of Malaysia鈥檚 most cherished festive dishes. These elements provided travellers with an authentic introduction to local traditions upon arrival.
This large-scale initiative was made possible through collaboration with various stakeholders, including government agencies, airlines, corporate sponsors, and tourism industry partners. As Malaysia鈥檚 main gateway, KLIA alone recorded approximately 28 incoming flights carrying an estimated 5,000 passengers from key cities such as Singapore, Jakarta, Manila, Beijing, Shanghai, Perth, Dubai, Brunei, and Istanbul. The programme reflects Tourism Malaysia鈥檚 ongoing strategy under VM2026 to create meaningful first impressions, strengthen destination branding, and encourage repeat visits while supporting the sustainable growth of the nation鈥檚 tourism sector.
Source: Tourism Malaysia
