Sabah Sets the Stage for Visit Malaysia 2026 with a Cultural Welcome of Heart and Heritage

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Sabah ushered in the launch of Visit Malaysia 2026 with an elegant cultural reception at Kota Kinabalu International Airport, presenting arriving visitors with an immediate sense of the state’s warmth, authenticity, and deeply rooted cultural identity. The reception transformed the airport into more than a point of transit. It became a stage for storytelling, tradition, and welcome.



The ceremonial welcome was led by YB Datuk Jaffry Ariffin, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment Sabah, reflecting Sabah’s proactive role in supporting the national tourism vision while highlighting the state’s unique positioning within Malaysia’s travel landscape. His presence underscored the importance of Sabah as a frontline destination for immersive and experience-led tourism.



Also in attendance were Datuk Dr. Hj. Sabin Samitah, Mayor of Kota Kinabalu; Mary Malangking, TSUT, Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment Sabah; Julinus Jeffery Jimit, Chief Executive Officer of Sabah Tourism Board; Salinda Sany, Senior Director of Strategic Planning; Haryanty Abu Bakar, State Office Director (Sabah); Pn Noredah Othman, Chief Executive Officer of Sabah Convention Bureau; together with representatives from Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB), Kuala Lumpur. Their collective presence reflected a unified tourism ecosystem working in alignment ahead of 2026.



Among those present, Alfred Allen, Editor-in-Chief of FAVSTYLE, shared his excitement at witnessing what he described as one of the warmest airport welcomes Sabah has delivered to date. The arrival hall of KKIA came alive with vibrant, colourful cultural performances, filling the space with laughter, joy, and genuine amusement from both travellers and well-wishers. For many newly arrived passengers, the celebration offered an unforgettable first impression of Sabah’s hospitality. Mr Alfred Allen also took the opportunity to meet and greet the CEO of Sabah Tourism Board, reinforcing the collaborative spirit between media and tourism stakeholders in amplifying Sabah’s global narrative.


The cultural welcome served as a symbolic gateway into Sabah’s diverse heritage, setting an inviting and confident tone for the year ahead. It reaffirmed Sabah’s readiness to welcome both domestic and international travellers, positioning the state as a destination where exploration is grounded in culture, nature, and meaningful human connection. As Visit Malaysia 2026 unfolds, Sabah stands prepared to offer journeys that are not only scenic, but soulful.


#VisitMalaysia2026
#MalaysiaTrulyAsia
#CutiCutiMalaysia
#SurrealExperiences
#SabahTourism
Location: Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI), 134, Aras 5 邮政, 编码:, 88740 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia

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