AUCKLAND – Over the past six months, Malaysia has been top of mind for Kiwis as Tourism Malaysia intensifies its promotional efforts. Malaysia has set bold goals, targeting 35.6 million tourist arrivals by 2026.
In preparation for an increase in tourism activity, flights from Auckland to Kuala Lumpur have been enhanced with the arrival of Malaysia Airlines’ new aircraft. The Airbus A330neo will operate four times a week, with another A330neo set to join the fleet to cover the remaining four flights the airline offers.
Following a successful showcase at the Southeast Asia Festival in September last year, the campaign continued with a presence at the Malaysia Food and Cultural Day in Hamilton in February, the mega Southeast Asia Festival 2025 in Auckland, and the Auckland Travel Show in March, culminating in the Auckland Culture Fest in April.
Tourism Malaysia’s high-profile participation at the 2025 Southeast Asia Festival (https://seasia.co.nz/) as a Platinum Sponsor on March 8th was a strategic move to strengthen Malaysia’s appeal as a travel destination among Kiwis ahead of the upcoming Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign.
Locals and Southeast Asian nationals had the chance to interact with Tourism Malaysia to uncover the exciting travel opportunities in the region. From the city lights of Kuala Lumpur to the jungles of Borneo, globetrotters were guided through Malaysia with a large 3x2m map that showcased the uniqueness of each region.
For Malaysian food lovers, the festival was a paradise of authentic street food such as Nasi Lemak, Satay, Roti Canai, and Teh Tarik. Visitors had the chance to watch skilled chefs prepare these delicacies using traditional techniques, creating an unforgettable culinary experience.
The Southeast Asia Festival is returning later this year for a two-day run in Auckland, Hamilton, and Wellington, offering foodies and travel lovers an incomparable experience of the vibrant region. With hundreds of food options and dozens of cultural performances, don’t miss it!
