Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – Malaysia is accelerating its tourism drive ahead of Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026), with Singapore-based low-cost carrier Scoot entering a three-year strategic partnership with Tourism Malausia aimed at boosting regional travel to the country.
Both parties signed a memorandum of collaboration (MoC) at a ceremony held at the airline’s Singapore headquarters. The agreement, which runs until August 2028, commits both parties to promoting Malaysia as a top travel destination across key markets including Singapore, Australia, Indonesia, and China.
The partnership will involve integrated marketing campaigns and co-branded initiatives, including digital promotions and familiarisation trips showcasing Malaysia’s diverse tourism offerings—from vibrant city life to eco-adventures.
Scoot currently flies to 11 destinations in Malaysia, such as Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Kuching, and Langkawi. It is set to add Kota Bharu to its network on October 26, increasing its footprint in the country to 12 destinations and 115 weekly flights.
“Malaysia has always been a key market for us,” said Agatha Yap, Scoot’s director of marketing, communications and loyalty. “With this collaboration, we hope to increase awareness and inspire more travellers across our network to explore the many cities Scoot connects to in Malaysia.”
Yap also pointed to Malaysia’s 30-day visa-free entry for Singaporeans and many regional travellers, calling it an added incentive for travel.
Tourism Malaysia’s Director General, Datuk Dr. Manoharan Periasamy, called the partnership timely and strategic as the country ramps up its tourism preparations. “Scoot’s extensive network allows us to tap into valuable regional markets and showcase Malaysia’s diversity to more international visitors,” he said.
The collaboration comes amid a rebound in international arrivals. As of May 2025, Malaysia recorded 16.9 million tourist arrivals—a 20.4% increase year-on-year. Singapore leads as the top source market with 8.3 million visitors, followed by Indonesia, China, Thailand, and India.
Tourism Malaysia has been actively pursuing partnerships to hit its target of 43 million international visitors by 2025. Recent deals include collaborations with Agoda and Xiaohongshu, aimed at promoting Malaysia’s culture, nature, and food to global audiences, particularly in the Chinese market.
In addition, the agency rolled out a series of promotional films including its flagship video “Echoes of Harmony: Malaysia’s Heartbeat”, and launched stargazing travel packages in Singapore to position Malaysia as a rising eco-tourism and astronomy destination.
With the new partnership with Scoot, Malaysia’s tourism campaign gains added momentum and flight capacity, as it eyes a full return to global prominence in the travel sector.
