Efforts to nominate Kampung Sungai Melayu here as a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) heritage site will continue through further discussions with Tourism Johor and the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC). Kota Iskandar assemblyman Datuk Pandak Ahmad said the proposal is expected to be presented to the relevant agencies soon as part of an initiative to position the fishing village, which boasts rich natural and cultural heritage, as a leading ecotourism destination in Johor. “The process of obtaining UNESCO recognition involves several stages of evaluation and documentation. A follow-up meeting with Tourism Johor and MOTAC will be held to discuss the next steps,” he told…

Batik Air has partnered with Express Rail Link Sdn. Bhd. (ERL) to offer business travellers enhanced convenience and exclusive benefits, becoming the only airline to collaborate with ERL to provide special fares for its Business Class passengers. Through this partnership, KLIA Ekspres passengers can enjoy up to 25% off when purchasing Batik Air Business Class Flexi tickets, offering greater value and a seamless connection via ERL, which provides a reliable route between KL Sentral and Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA). The KLIA Ekspres, Malaysia’s fastest airport transfer, connects KL Sentral to KLIA in just 28 minutes, allowing business travellers to maximise productivity during their journey. Batik Air’s Business Class Flexi…

The Cathay Group has announced the launch of daily non-stop flights between Hong Kong and Changsha, beginning November 4, 2025. The new service marks the airline group’s fifth Chinese Mainland destination added this year, expanding its network in the region to 24 cities. Operated by Cathay Pacific, the Hong Kong–Changsha flights will use Airbus A321neo aircraft equipped with both Business and Economy cabins, offering travellers a modern and comfortable experience along with Cathay’s award-winning inflight entertainment system. The schedule includes both morning and evening departures, giving passengers convenient options for travel between the two cities. Cathay Chief Executive Officer Ronald Lam said the new service will strengthen ties between Hong Kong,…

Digital travel platform Agoda, through its strategic partnerships division Rocket Travel by Agoda, has announced a long-term collaboration with the Saudi Tourism Authority to promote Saudi Arabia as a travel destination across the Asia Pacific region. The partnership was unveiled at WiT Singapore and will begin with the ‘Spectacular Saudi’ campaign, which will run until February 28, 2026. The campaign targets travelers from eleven key Asian markets including Singapore, China, India, Indonesia, Pakistan, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Japan, Australia, South Korea, and Thailand. It aims to highlight Saudi Arabia’s cultural heritage and diverse attractions through immersive storytelling, curated experiences, exclusive offers, and marketing across Agoda’s digital platforms as well as other channels.…

Airbnb commends the Malaysian government for its steadfast commitment to long-term economic growth and resilience, which are essential foundations for the development of the tourism industry. These proactive efforts will play a key role in supporting the objectives of Visit Malaysia Year 2026 (VMY2026) and the 13th Malaysia Plan, helping to transform the tourism sector into a high-income, sustainable, and globally competitive industry by 2030. As a key player in Malaysia’s tourism economy, Airbnb continues to contribute meaningfully to the tourism economy growth. According to a 2025 Oxford Economics Report commissioned by Airbnb, spending associated with Airbnb contributed RM9.2 billion to Malaysia’s GDP in 2024 alone, equivalent to approximately 5…