Business events stakeholders in Malaysia are capitalising on the government-driven publicity of the year-long Visit Malaysia 2026 year-long to strengthen their position in the market, and leverage on new opportunities to attract international business events.
Rayner Simon, chief operating officer at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK), anticipates that demand for domestic and regional meetings, and incentives will rise next year, thanks to the heightened visibility from Visit Malaysia 2026.
Simon added that the campaign will also help attract new investors into Malaysia’s business events ecosystem, creating opportunities for infrastructure enhancements, new partnerships, and legacy impact initiatives that benefit the wider community.
He shared: “I am looking at the long term, particularly at the opening of BCCK2 in 2028. We have to start preparing the market now by building a strong pipeline of events and ensuring that industry players are aligned.
“The momentum created by Visit Malaysia 2026 will help us set the stage, so that when BCCK2 opens, Kuching will be well-positioned to host large-scale international conventions and exhibitions.”
Borneo Nature Tours, director of sales, Alven Lim, said his company will reach out to Asian markets such as China, India, Korea and Japan to market its flagship accommodation. Previously, this product was promoted mainly to the European market.
Borneo Rainforest Lodge, comprising 27 chalets and three villas, is the only licensed accommodation available within the pristine Danum Valley Conservation Area in Lahad Datu, Sabah.
Lim revealed that the lodge will also be positioned as an exclusive venue for small corporate retreats, C-level meetings, and leadership programmes, offering companies a setting that blends immersive rainforest experiences with high-end hospitality.
Similarly, Langkawi MICE Holidays & Tours director of sales, Nana Soliano, said her company will be leveraging on the campaign’s momentum to reconnect with Australian outbound suppliers and rekindle their interest to promote Langkawi as a meetings and incentives destination.
She added: “We lost a lot of business from Australia during Covid. We hope to recapture the market by participating in AIME in 2026 and doing sales calls after the event. We decided to skip participating in some Asian travel marts in 2025 so that we can save the money to attend AIME.”
Anticipating that event organisers from key markets in Asia Pacific will also be looking at other secondary destinations outside of Langkawi, such as Penang, Sabah and Sarawak, Nana shared that she has been in touch with the respective state convention bureaus.
