Tourism Malaysia Boosts Lahad Datu tourism in conjunction with Visit Malaysia 2026

15 February 2026

LAHAD DATU: The Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC), through its agency , organised an engagement and briefing session on tourism grants with industry players and stakeholders in Lahad Datu.

The programme aimed to provide a comprehensive overview of the Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) campaign and its outlined strategic plans. Among the matters highlighted were various incentives offered, including the Malaysia Travel Incentive Grant (GAMELAN), the Tourism Sector Support Grant (GSSP) and the Cultural Sector Support Grant (GSSK), presented by representatives of .

More than 40 participants attended the session, comprising industry representatives, strategic partners and key stakeholders. The initiative forms part of the broader efforts under to accelerate the development of the national tourism sector.

According to Haryanty Abu Bakar, Director of , “Visit Malaysia 2026 is not merely a tourism campaign, but a national movement reflecting the spirit of unity, harmony, warmth and the rich diversity of races and cultures in our country.”

She added that the briefing was expected to inspire tourism industry players and stakeholders in Lahad Datu to adopt a more proactive and creative approach in their promotional activities, thereby attracting more visitors to the district.

Through VM2026, Malaysia continues to emphasise efforts to strengthen tourism as one of the principal drivers of national economic growth. This positive momentum is supported by encouraging international visitor arrivals in 2025, which recorded 42.1 million visitors.

Under the theme “Surreal Experiences”, VM2026 will feature a series of nationwide programmes throughout the year, including festivals, cultural events, exhibitions and community celebrations, all designed to attract visitors from around the world.

By leveraging Malaysia’s potential as a leading tourism destination in the region, VM2026 is expected to catalyse increased visitor arrivals, create more employment opportunities and further enhance the nation’s image on the international stage. In addition to stimulating economic activity, the campaign will benefit local communities while supporting related sectors such as transport, retail, handicrafts and small and medium enterprises (SMEs).