Johor’s Pasir Gudang World Kite Festival celebrates its 28th year of hosting with style as it makes it into the Malaysia Book of Records as the festival with the most international participants in the nation, comprising 56 countries across 6 continents, thus, creating new history when it was recognised by the Malaysia Book of Records as the kite festival with the highest international participation.
First organised in 1995, it began as part of the efforts to preserve the heritage of traditional kites such as Wau Bulan, Wau Merak and Wau Kapal. Pasir Gudang now made its name on the world map with its Kites Museum, also the first ever in Malaysia.
“This festival has drawn up to 650,000 visitors each time it has been held, directly benefiting local service providers, homestay hosts, small business owners, e-hailing drivers, and entrepreneurs,” Onn Hafiz Ghazi, Johor Menteri Besar, said in his Facebook statement.
With the theme “Continents Meet in the Sky of Johor… Come on!” (Benua Bertemu di Langit Johor… Meh Lah!) for its 28th edition, this esteemed festival is one of the primary forces behind Visit Johor Year 2026, enhancing Johor’s standing as a welcoming, secure, and competitive travel destination that is also near and dear to the hearts of its citizens,” he added.
“I am also honoured to officiate the 28th Pasir Gudang World Kite Festival and would like to extend my congratulations and commendations to the Pasir Gudang City Council, Tourism Johor, Johor Kite Association, Malaysian Kite Council, educational institutions and strategic partners at home and abroad for the success of this well-organised and professional organisation.”
He then wishes that the organisation of this festival continue to become a Johor tourism icon, a catalyst for the people’s economy and the main pulse of the success of Visit Johor Year 2026, thus placing Johor on the world map.
Pasir Gudang is said to have made it on the map as a recognised world reference centre, including through the existence of the first kite museum in Malaysia at Bukit Layang-Layang.
