Liew and Periasamy, accompanied by VM2026 Mascots Wira and Manja, pose for the media.
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah remains committed to aligning with the Culture, Adventure and Nature (CAN) strategy, which highlights the very essence of what makes the state a must-visit travel destination in Malaysia.
Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Christina Liew emphasised this when officiating at the engagement session with Sabah tourism industry stakeholders at Hilton Kota Kinabalu here yesterday.
“Our future initiatives include strengthening sustainable tourism, improving tourism infrastructure and empowering community-based tourism (CoBT). In achieving these objectives, continuous support from the federal government remains essential,” she said.
Acknowledging the support from Federal agencies, Liew said it has significantly enhanced Sabah’s tourism initiatives.
“We are truly grateful for the numerous grants as well as incentives that have been crucial in maintaining the vitality of this sector. These include the Geran Galakan Melancong (GAMELAN), Geran Sokongan Sektor Pelancongan (GSSP), Geran Sektor Penerbangan dan Carter (GSPC) and the Geran Sokongan Sektor Kebudayaan (GSSK), that has contributed to strengthening domestic alongside international tourism in Sabah,” she added.
Tourism Malaysia conducted the engagement session to promote stronger partnerships among essential stakeholders in anticipation of the Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) Campaign.
The Minister said the session served as a platform for collaboration and strategic discussions on the future of Malaysia’s tourism industry. “The Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry (KePKAS) alongside its agency, Sabah Tourism Board (STB), was honoured to be part of this initiative.”
Liew said: “As we prepare for VM2026, it is critical that we work together to achieve greater heights. Sabah stands committed to fostering strong partnerships, driving innovation and ensuring that our state remains a premier destination in Malaysia and beyond.
“Let us move forward in unity as, together, we can unlock new opportunities and showcase the best of Malaysia to the world.”
Earlier, Tourism Malaysia Director General Datuk Manoharan Periasamy said the objective of the engagement session was to provide a comprehensive overview of the VM2026 Campaign and its strategic roadmap as well as updates on the incentives alongside matching grants offered by the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry (MOTAC).
“The VM2026 theme – Malaysia : A Sustainable and Culturally Rich Destination – reflects the government’s commitment in attracting high-income tourists and strengthening Malaysia’s competitiveness as a top international destination,” he said.
Periasamy stressed that the collaboration between Tourism Malaysia and Sabah tourism industry stakeholders is a testament to the valuable synergy between the public and private sectors.
“By working together on joint initiatives and activities, we aim to further promote Malaysia’s diverse tourism offerings and position the country as a top travel destination,” he said.
Participants of the engagement session comprised leading industry players, associations, airlines, hoteliers, travel agencies and tourism product owners.
