PETALING JAYA, El Sky News — A Tourism Labour Day celebration and a Water Musical Festival in Bukit Bintang will be among the key events organised by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) in conjunction with the Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign.
Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing said the Tourism Labour Day celebration will be held together with the Water Musical Festival, starting on May 1 and running for three days.
“The event will take place in Bukit Bintang, and certain roads in the area will be closed to accommodate the celebrations,” he said after the launch of the Strategic Cooperation between Tourism Malaysia and Oriental Kopi for the Rasa Malaysia promotion on Wednesday.
Tourism Calendar to Be Launched Soon
Tiong said the ministry is expected to launch its tourism calendar by the end of this month, with more programmes to be announced as coordination with industry stakeholders nears completion.
He explained that the tourism calendar is currently being finalised as the ministry continues to receive collaboration requests from hotels, tourism operators, and other industry players.
“We are in the final stages of coordinating with our partners. Once everything is finalised, we will make the announcement before the end of this month,” he said.
Boosting Momentum Ahead of Visit Malaysia 2026
According to the minister, the tourism calendar plays a crucial role in sustaining promotional momentum ahead of Visit Malaysia 2026, while also helping to spread tourism activities beyond peak holiday seasons.
Major events are being planned to attract both domestic and international visitors, while supporting tourism-related businesses such as hotels, retailers, and small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
Over 300 Events Planned Nationwide
Tourism Malaysia said that as part of the Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign, the country will roll out a year-long calendar featuring more than 300 events showcasing Malaysia’s multicultural identity and heritage.
Key highlights include celebrations for Chinese New Year, Aidilfitri, Deepavali, and Christmas, as well as cultural festivals such as Tadau Kaamatan and Gawai Dayak.
These curated events will offer immersive experiences ranging from cultural parades and culinary showcases to traditional performances and community-led festivities throughout the year.
