Tourism Malaysia Highlights Cultural Heritage Through Kaamatan and Gawai Celebrations
Tourism Malaysia welcomed domestic and international visitors through Kaamatan and Gawai celebrations held under the Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign.
The events took place at Kota Kinabalu International Airport on 30 May 2026, KLIA Terminal 1 on 31 May 2026 and Kuching International Airport on 1 June 2026.
The initiative forms part of Tourism Malaysia’s efforts to enhance visitor experiences and showcase the country’s cultural diversity at major international gateways.
Cultural Festivals Featured at Key Airports
The celebrations highlighted the traditions of Sabah and Sarawak through cultural performances and festive activities.
Kaamatan is celebrated by the Kadazan-Dusun community in Sabah while Gawai is observed by the Dayak community in Sarawak.
Both harvest festivals represent themes of gratitude, community unity and cultural heritage.
Visitors arriving at the airports were welcomed with cultural performances, festive decorations and interactive activities designed to introduce them to local traditions.
Visitors Receive Traditional Malaysian Welcome
Tourism Malaysia arranged a variety of welcoming experiences for arriving passengers.
Visitors received specially prepared souvenirs and were offered dodol, a traditional Malaysian delicacy.
Traditional dance performances and musical presentations by cultural groups from Sabah and Sarawak further enhanced the celebrations and introduced travellers to Malaysia’s cultural heritage.
Tourism and Industry Leaders Attend KLIA Event
The celebration at KLIA Terminal 1 was attended by representatives from the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Tourism Malaysia, Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad and tourism industry organisations.
Among those present were Shaharuddin Abu Sohot and Wizani Rosmin.
Representatives from airlines, tourism businesses and strategic partners also participated in the event.
Mega Fam Programme Promotes Cultural Tourism
Alongside the celebrations, Tourism Malaysia is organising an eight-day Mega Familiarisation Programme from 29 May to 5 June 2026.
The programme involves 15 influencers and media representatives from markets including the Philippines, Vietnam, China, South Korea and India.
Participants will visit Sabah and Sarawak to experience the Kaamatan and Gawai celebrations while exploring tourism attractions in both states.
Tourism Malaysia stated that the initiative aims to strengthen awareness of Malaysia as a culturally diverse tourism destination.
International Visitor Arrivals Continue to Grow
According to Tourism Malaysia, Malaysia recorded 10.6 million international visitor arrivals between January and March 2026.
This represented a 5.4% increase compared to 10.1 million arrivals during the same period in 2025.
The tourism board said the growth reflects continued momentum under the Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign.
Tourism Malaysia Focuses on Cultural Tourism Growth
Tourism Malaysia noted that cultural celebrations such as Kaamatan and Gawai play an important role in promoting authentic travel experiences and highlighting Malaysia’s multicultural identity.
The organisation said these initiatives support broader goals linked to tourism growth, repeat visitation and sustainable tourism development ahead of Visit Malaysia 2026.
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