PUTRAJAYA, April 1, 2025, With lively Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations at five main airports around the country, Malaysia threw open its arms to welcome both domestic and international tourists today. As part of the Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) campaign to market the nation as a top international travel destination, festivities took place celebrations at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Terminals 1 and 2, Penang International Airport, Kota Kinabalu International Airport, and Kuching International Airport.
The main celebration was the opening of KLIA Terminal 1, officiated by YB Dato Sri Tiong King Sing, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, and Datuk Manoharan Periasamy, Director General of Tourism Malaysia. Also present was En. Mohd. Roslan Abdullah, Senior Director of the Package Development Division, oversaw the festivities at Penang International Airport. The festival embodied Malaysia’s multicultural heritage and warm heartiness, those optimum features defining the “Malaysia, Truly Asia” brand.
Visitors to these airports were greeted with celebratory treats and invited to enjoy classic Hari Raya Aidilfitri fare, giving them a very tangible cultural experience. The festive mood was rounded off by interactive cultural performances and an Aidilfitri-themed exhibition, imparting Malaysia’s unique multicultural identity.
The highlight of the celebrations was the visitation of VM2026 mascots Manja and Wira, which delighted visitors with their high-spirited visit. In addition, tourists witnessed some traditional food action, including the live preparation of “kacau dodol”—stirring the thick Malay dessert—and symbolic “buka lemang,” a ceremony in which glutinous bamboo-steamed rice is opened ceremoniously.
The tourism industry in Malaysia continues to impress with its revival and expansion. In 2024, the nation registered 38 million tourist arrivals, which was a 31.1% growth compared to 29 million in 2023. This number also beat the pre-pandemic high of 35 million in 2019 by 8.6%. The leading source markets were Singapore, Indonesia, China, Thailand, Brunei, India, the Philippines, South Korea, Australia, and Chinese Taipei. Total receipt for visitors was at RM106.78 billion, showing an impressive 43.7% increase from 2023 and a 20% increase over 2019.
The trends continued to rise through 2025 as Malaysia received 3.8 million tourists in January alone—a 54.4% rise over the previous year and a 24.4% increase over the same period for 2019. Singapore was again the top source of visitors with 1.7 million arrivals, followed by China, Indonesia, Thailand, and Brunei.
While Malaysia is gearing up to unveil the Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign, such Hari Raya celebrations are an indication of the country’s commitment towards promoting cultural tourism and offering tourists from around the world a holistic experience. The festive hospitality being provided at the airports today is just a taste of the hospitality and diversity awaiting visitors entering the country during this festival season.
