Tourism Malaysia marked a significant milestone by hosting its first-ever consumer event in Guangzhou, China, since the pandemic, with the launch of the Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) Promotion Campaign from 7th until 9th March 2025 at TeeMall, Guangzhou. This initiative is part of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture’s ambitious goal to attract 7 million visitors from China in 2026, one of Malaysia’s key markets driving tourism growth.
Samuel Lee, Tourism Malaysia’s Deputy Director General (Promotion II); Suraya Ahmad Pauzi, the Consulate General Malaysia in Guangzhou; and Dato’ Dr Angie Ng, the President of MICA launched the three-day event on 8th March 2025 at TeeMall, Guangzhou. The collaboration with the Malaysia Inbound Chinese Association (MICA) aims to connect directly with Chinese consumers.
TeeMall’s high foot traffic provides an ideal platform for Tourism Malaysia to engage with the local market and strengthen Malaysia’s visibility as a top travel choice. The promotion features a diverse range of Malaysian tourism products, such as labu sayong and batik painting, highlighting the country’s vibrant culture and stunning attractions while offering exclusive tourism packages for Chinese visitors.
The key objectives of this event are to maintain the momentum leading up to VM2026, position Malaysia as a top, safe, and attractive travel destination for the Chinese market, and reinforce strong relationships with industry players in Guangzhou and beyond.
In 2024, Malaysia welcomed 3,725,894 visitors from China, marking an impressive 130.9% year-on-year growth. The extension of the visa-free policy for Chinese nationals until December 2026, coupled with increased air connectivity of 515 flights weekly, is expected to accelerate this growth, strengthening cultural ties and boosting mutual economic benefits.
