The Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) will intensify enforcement against unlicensed tourism-related activities that are increasingly disrupting the country’s tourism ecosystem, its minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing said. He stressed that illegal operations including unregistered tour operators, non-compliant short-term accommodation providers and other rule-breaking practices not only harm legitimate industry players but also reduce government revenue. According to Tiong, concerns over unlicensed activities were among the most frequently raised issues during recent engagement sessions between the ministry and industry stakeholders. “Enforcement efforts must prioritise illegal and harmful practices rather than penalising licensed operators who have complied with regulations and borne significant compliance costs,” he said in a…

Malaysia is strengthening its role as one of South Africa’s leading tourism source markets in Southeast Asia, supported by steady travel demand, rising visitor numbers and a recovery in visitor spending. These developments were highlighted during a briefing by South Africa’s Minister of Tourism, Patricia de Lille, as part of her official visit to the region. According to projections, outbound travel from Malaysia is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 8.1 per cent between 2024 and 2030, driven by consistent demand from both leisure and business travellers. In 2025, arrivals from Malaysia to South Africa reached 7,773, representing a 17.3 per cent increase from the previous…

The Malaysian International Food & Beverage Trade Fair (MIFB) 2026 is set to return with a renewed national focus aimed at strengthening Malaysia’s food and beverage (F&B) industry through an integrated ‘Made in Malaysia’ ecosystem supported by strong international participation. Anchored by the theme ‘Future-Ready F&B: Powering the Next Wave’, the upcoming edition builds on more than 25 years of industry experience to serve as a trade-driven platform designed to enhance market access, business capabilities, and export readiness for Malaysian companies. Organised alongside the Malaysia Café Expo (MCE) and MyFoodTech, MIFB 2026 will connect the entire F&B value chain, ranging from local brands and manufacturers to global distributors and solution…

The Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) views the cooperation between Tourism Malaysia and Batik Air as a timely and strategic initiative to further enhance Malaysia’s air connectivity in support of the Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) campaign. Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister, Dato’ Sri Tiong King Sing said the Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) signed by both parties reflects a shared commitment to strengthening access to destinations nationwide, while intensifying promotional efforts to attract more international and regional travellers. He said improved air connectivity remains a crucial pillar of tourism development, particularly in ensuring that travel growth benefits not only major cities but also secondary and emerging destinations with strong…

South Africa’s Minister of Tourism, Patricia de Lille, is scheduled to make an official visit to Malaysia on Feb 4 and 5 as part of a broader Southeast Asia outreach programme that also covers Indonesia and Singapore. The visit comes at a strategic time as Malaysia gears up for Visit Malaysia Year 2026, offering a timely platform for both nations to explore closer cooperation in tourism and capitalise on the growing appetite for long-haul travel between Southeast Asia and the African continent. During her two-day programme in Kuala Lumpur, de Lille is expected to pay a courtesy call on Malaysia’s Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Dato Sri Tiong King…