Celebrating Aidilfitri, Showcasing Malaysia to the World

23 March 2026

KOTA KINABALU: Tourism Malaysia welcomed both domestic and international visitors through Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations at Kota Kinabalu International Airport.

This was held in conjunction with the Visit Malaysia 2026 Campaign (VM2026),

Similar events were also held at eight major airports nationwide, including in Selangor, Penang, Johor, Kedah, Perak, and Sarawak.

The ceremony in Kota Kinabalu was officiated by Chong Wai Kit, Director of MOTAC Sabah. Also in attendance were Haryanty Abu Bakar, Director of Tourism Malaysia Sabah; Jessica Francis of the Sabah Tourism Board; as well as representatives from Kota Kinabalu International Airport, airlines, and related agencies.

Following the Chinese New Year celebrations in February, this series of festive programmes continues to highlight the rich cultural diversity and harmony of Malaysia’s multi-ethnic society.

Arriving visitors were greeted with festive souvenirs at the Arrival Hall and invited to enjoy traditional Hari Raya Aidilfitri delicacies, reflecting the nation’s cultural heritage and the warm hospitality of Malaysia Truly Asia.

The celebratory atmosphere was further enlivened with Malay cultural performances themed around Aidilfitri, including appearances by VM2026 mascots, Wira and Manja.

Adding to the festive spirit were symbolic activities such as filling rice and boiling ketupat, a special tradition associated with Hari Raya. The celebration, held from 12.00 noon to 4.00 pm, welcomed approximately 1,500 international and domestic passengers arriving from Singapore, Seoul, Kuala Lumpur, Kuching, Tawau, and Sandakan.

This programme was realised through strategic collaboration among various parties, including ministries and agencies under MOTAC, airlines, tourism industry associations, and corporate partners such as Malaysia Airports Sdn. Bhd., Sabah Tourism Board, Batik Air, ADABI, Spritzer, and Photobook. This cooperation reflects strong collective support for promoting the nation’s tourism industry and enhancing visitor experiences in conjunction with VM2026.

The organisation of festive activities at airports is one of Tourism Malaysia’s ongoing strategies under the VM2026 Campaign to create meaningful arrival experiences, strengthen destination branding, and promote Malaysia as a culturally rich, safe, and visitor-friendly destination.

These initiatives at international entry points also help leave a positive impression on visitors and encourage repeat visits.

Through the organisation of such celebrations, Tourism Malaysia continues to strengthen the country’s tourism profile on the global stage, while celebrating Malaysia’s cultural diversity in line with the objectives of VM2026 and supporting the sustainable development of the tourism sector.