Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – Tourism Malaysia has announced a strategic collaboration with AEON Co. (M) Bhd. aimed at supporting the implementation of the Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) campaign. The partnership seeks to strengthen efforts to promote Malaysia as a tourism, shopping and lifestyle destination through a series of promotional activities and exclusive offers at selected AEON shopping centres nationwide.
The initiative targets both domestic and international visitors, leveraging AEON’s retail footprint to increase visibility for the VM2026 campaign while encouraging tourism-related spending.
The collaboration also involves participation from various industry players, including hotels, travel agents, airlines and other shopping malls, in an effort to expand the reach of VM2026 promotions. As part of the initiative, VM2026 official mascots Wira and Manja will be featured as decorative elements across AEON malls nationwide.
In addition, destination marketing videos showcasing Malaysia’s tourism offerings will be displayed on LED screens within AEON malls, highlighting the country’s diverse attractions in conjunction with the VM2026 campaign.
The collaboration was officially launched at AEON Mall Shah Alam, officiated by Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture YB Tuan Chiew Choon Man, representing Minister YB Dato Sri Tiong King Sing. Also in attendance were Deputy Secretary-General (Tourism) of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Encik Chua Choon Hwa, Chairman of AEON Company Malaysia Bhd. Datuk Iskandar Sarudin, and Tourism Malaysia Package Development Division Director Zuraini Abdul Ghani.
According to YB Dato Sri Tiong King Sing, the strategic collaboration reflects the private sector’s continued commitment to supporting the Visit Malaysia 2026 agenda. He noted that such initiatives have the potential to stimulate tourism while generating spillover effects for related industries such as retail, hospitality and services, contributing to sustainable economic growth and strengthening Malaysia’s competitiveness as a tourism and investment destination.
During the launch, limited-edition merchandise produced specifically for VM2026, including tote bags and headbands, was introduced. Visitors can redeem these items with a minimum spend of RM350, combining up to three purchase receipts.
Throughout the campaign period, several initiatives are planned, including the Cerita Raya programme featuring Wira and Manja, Carnival Bazaar events showcasing local cuisine, and the organisation of the Tourism Malaysia Run in selected states. Additional exclusive redemption items and interactive activities will also be rolled out in collaboration with Tourism Malaysia’s strategic partners, local communities, and visitors from within and outside the country.
Tourism Malaysia reiterated its commitment to driving tourism spending through the shopping segment by attracting more visitors to shop in Malaysia. These efforts will be reinforced through major retail campaigns such as the Malaysia Super Sale in March 2026, the Malaysia Mega Sale from June to July 2026, and the Malaysia Year End Sale from November 2026 to January 2027.
The shopping segment continues to play a significant role in Malaysia’s tourism industry, aligning with Visit Malaysia 2026’s target of attracting 43 million international visitors, contributing to gross domestic product growth and strengthening the national economy.
