Malaysia Truly Asia as Next Global Tourism Hub 2026

Makati City, Philippines –  Malaysia Tourism, Arts, Culture and Food Festival 2025 officially launched Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) with the theme “Surreal Experiences” back to back celebration of ASEAN Coffee and Tea Diplomacy on 12th  and 13th of September 2025 at The Concourse, Level 2 One Ayala Mall.

Organized by the Embassy of Malaysia in Manila, through Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board as Tourism Malaysia is an agency under the Ministry of Tourism,Arts,Culture Malaysia. Welcome Speech delivered by Mohd Faizal Sharip,Tourism Attache Malaysia,Manila. Followed by H.E. Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino Anthony, Ambassador of Malaysia to the Philippines and as Keynote speaker represented by Evengeline Tiu Ong Jimenez -Ducrocq Assistant Secretary for Asia and Pacific Affairs, Department of Foreign Affairs 

Distinguished guests are: Ambassador Markus V Lacanilao of Office of the Special Envoy on Transnational Crime; H.E. Sonexay Vannaxay, Ambassador of Laos and spouse; H.E. Megawati Manan, Ambassador of Brunei Darussalam; and H.E. Lai Thai Binh, Ambassador of Vietnam and spouse; H.E. Marciano Da Silva Ambassador of Timos Leste; 

Guests and Participants took great pleasure on cultural performances, a Kebaya Nyonya fashion show by Dr. Kenny Loh, and authentic Malaysian dishes prepared by prominent Celebrity Dato’ Chef Ismail Ahmad. Partner airlines and travel agencies offers special tour packages for tourists.

Back to back event, the ASEAN Ladies Foundation Inc.(ALF)  hosted the ASEAN Coffee and Tea Diplomacy program, promoting the region’s shared culinary heritage while supporting nonprofit advocacy.

ASEAN current member are Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam

Malaysia targeted to attract 43 million foreign visitors this year  2025 and 47 million visitors during Visit Malaysia Year 2026. From January to July 2025 alone, over 349,012 Filipino tourists visited Malaysia an 8.7% increase  compared from the previous year. 

AirAsia Philippines and Firefly will soon introduce Cebu and Kuala Lumpur to encourage Filipino in Visayas. The tourism festival emphasize Malaysian vision of sustainable growth through tourism while strengthening cultural and economic ties with the Filipino.