5 January 2026 SINGAPORE: Malaysian travellers are increasingly considering domestic destinations for December travel, reveals digital travel platform Agoda. The insight is based on accommodation searches made on the platform between September and November for stays during the holiday month in 2025. The five most popular domestic destinations all recorded higher search volumes compared to the previous year, highlighting a growing interest in local trips during the year-end ho

5 January 2026 HAIKOU, China:  As a key centre within the Hainan Free Trade Port, Haikou is actively advancing its opening-up and global engagement through major international events, including the 2025 China International Travel Mart, the 2025 Hainan Provincial Tourism Development Conference, and the forthcoming International Performing Arts Capital Promotion Conference. The 2025 China International Travel Mart, held at the Hainan International Convention and Exhibition Cent

4 January 2026 KOTA KINABALU: The Visit Malaysia Year 2026 (VMY2026) campaign is anticipated to give Sabah stronger exposure on the global tourism map due to its extensive promotion. Datuk Eliza Goh, proprietor of Zara Boutique Hotel in Kota Kinabalu, said Sabah deserves to be recognised as one of the world’s most attractive tourist destinations, given its rich cultural diversity and exceptional natural assets, including pristine islands, rainforests and majestic mountains. “

4 January 2026 TUARAN: The President of the United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (UPKO), Datuk Ewon Benedick, said that the tradition of hosting Open Houses for each religious and cultural celebration has become an important platform in strengthening unity among the multiracial and multi-religious people in Sabah. Ewon, who is also the deputy Chief minister III and the Minister of Industry, Entrepreneurship, and Transport, stated that such events reflect UPKO’s leadership

Tamparuli State Assemblyman Datuk Seri Panglima Wilfred Madius Tangau (right) with Deputy Chief Minister III Datuk Ewon Benedick (left) Moyog State Assemblyman Datuk Donald Mojuntin and Billy Joe Dominic UPKO Penampang Youth Chief (2nd right) during the event 4 January 2026 TUARAN: State Assemblyman for Tamparuli, Datuk Seri Panglima Wilfred Madius Tangau, said festive open houses such as Christmas and New Year celebrations play an important role in restoring unity and stren

4 December 2026 BUKIT BERUNTUNG: The MADANI Government has reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding the nation’s basic food supply with the official halal certification of Gula Rahmah (Rahmah Sugar) , an initiative aimed at enhancing public confidence in the availability of safe, reliable and affordable sugar. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim officiated the Halal Certification Ceremony for Gula Rahmah yesterday, marking the product’s formal recognition as compliant wi

3 January 2026 KUALA LUMPUR: Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing officiated the Visit Malaysia 2026 – Bukit Bintang Star-Lit Street Festival, describing the initiative as an inclusive and community-driven approach to bringing tourism closer to the people. In his Facebook post, he shared the event held in one of Kuala Lumpur’s most vibrant and iconic districts, transformed public spaces into platforms for culture, creativity and togetherness, allowi

3 January 2026 KOTA KINABALU: While Zara’s Boutique Hotel stands as a beacon of social enterprise, empowering hundreds of women from rural districts to achieve economic independence, its founder, Datuk Eliza Goh, has attained a wide array of notable achievements. Eliza has shared countless transformative stories of women who have stepped through the hotel’s doors seeking employment and a fresh start. “These include young single mothers whom we have trained and mentored to reg