Tourism Malaysia and Batik Air Sign Memorandum to Strengthen Connectivity in conjunction with Visit Malaysia 2026

28 January 2026

KUALA LUMPUR: The Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) has welcomed the signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) between Tourism Malaysia and Batik Air, describing it as a strategic move to strengthen air connectivity and support sustainable tourism growth ahead of Visit Malaysia 2026.

Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Datuk Tiong King Sing, said the collaboration would enhance destination connectivity, intensify joint promotional efforts and expand access to both secondary and emerging destinations across the country.

“Connectivity today goes beyond the availability of flights. Airlines play a critical role in shaping a visitor’s first and last impressions of a destination,” he said at the signing ceremony held this evening, attended by industry partners and key stakeholders.

He noted that Batik Air’s role was particularly significant in supporting Visit Malaysia 2026 through coordinated promotions with Tourism Malaysia, improved regional connectivity and the opening of routes to high-potential cities beyond Malaysia’s main gateways.

Tiong also commended Batik Air for its willingness to operate routes that are often considered high-risk by other carriers, stressing that such efforts are essential to ensure tourism growth is not concentrated solely in major urban centres.

“These initiatives help distribute tourism benefits more evenly across the country, allowing more states and local communities to gain from the sector. Every destination has its own culture, heritage and stories, and improved access enables visitors to experience Malaysia’s full diversity,” he said.

Addressing the increasingly competitive aviation and tourism landscape, Tiong emphasised that airlines must continue to raise standards not only in pricing, but also in reliability, punctuality and service quality, all of which influence visitor confidence and repeat travel decisions.

He also highlighted the continued importance of travel agents and tourism partners as a vital link between destinations and travellers, playing a key role in shaping travel choices and overall visitor experiences.

The minister expressed appreciation to tourism partners and travel agents for their role in promoting Malaysia internationally, noting that strong collaboration between airlines, Tourism Malaysia and the travel trade is essential for building a balanced, resilient and sustainable tourism ecosystem.

Looking ahead, Tiong said MOTAC would continue to support partnerships that strengthen industry capabilities, enhance visitor experiences and deliver tangible outcomes for the tourism sector.

“With Visit Malaysia 2026 now underway, we look forward to working even more closely with Batik Air, Tourism Malaysia and the travel trade to ensure Malaysia remains a competitive, credible and welcoming destination for the global market,” he added.