Dubia, UAE- 20 July 2026
Malaysia has once again been ranked the world’s leading Muslim-friendly destination in the Mastercard-Crescent Rating Global Muslim Travel Index (GMTI) 2025, reinforcing its appeal to travellers from the GCC seeking seamless halal-friendly travel experiences, rich cultural immersion and family-friendly holidays.
With its extensive halal dining options, widespread prayer facilities, welcoming hospitality and world-class tourism infrastructure, Malaysia continues to be a preferred destination for GCC travellers looking for a destination that combines comfort, convenience and authentic experiences.
Beyond its strong Muslim-friendly credentials, Malaysia invites GCC visitors to discover the country’s diverse regions through a vibrant calendar of cultural festivals and unique local experiences that showcase the richness of its heritage, traditions and natural beauty.
This summer, travellers can venture beyond the familiar and explore the captivating landscapes of Sarawak, home to pristine rainforests, indigenous communities and some of Malaysia’s most authentic cultural experiences. From 24–26 July, the Pesta Nukenan (Bario Food Festival) celebrates the traditions of the Kelabit Highlands, offering visitors an opportunity to experience local cuisine, cultural performances and the remarkable hospitality of one of Malaysian Borneo’s most scenic destinations.
For travellers seeking arts, culture and heritage, Penang’s George Town Festival, taking place from 2–10 August, presents an exciting programme of visual arts, music, theatre and cultural performances in one of Southeast Asia’s most celebrated UNESCO World Heritage cities. Renowned for its multicultural heritage, exceptional gastronomy and thriving creative scene, Penang offers an enriching city-break experience for GCC visitors.
In conjunction with Citrawarna 2026, taking place from 24–26 July at Dataran Merdeka, more than 40 hotels and accommodation providers across the Klang Valley and selected states are offering exclusive stay promotions to encourage domestic and international travel during the festival period. These special offers include attractive room rates and unique bundled packages, available for booking from mid‑July to mid‑August 2026. Visitors may book directly through participating hotels’ official websites or via direct purchase channels. Further details including the list of participating hotels, package information and updates will be shared progressively on Facebook pages @citrawarna.my, @malaysia.truly.asia, and www.malaysia.travel .
Faharuddin Hatmin, Director of Tourism Malaysia Dubai, said: “Malaysia’s recognition as the world’s leading Muslim-friendly destination reflects our continued commitment to providing seamless, welcoming and enriching travel experiences for visitors from the GCC. While our halal-friendly infrastructure and hospitality remain key strengths, we are equally proud of the diversity of experiences Malaysia offers – from vibrant cultural festivals and heritage-rich cities to pristine nature, family attractions and authentic local encounters. We look forward to welcoming more GCC travellers to discover the many regions of Malaysia and create unforgettable memories throughout the year.”
Whether exploring the cool highlands of Sarawak, wandering through the heritage streets of Penang, enjoying family-friendly attractions in Kuala Lumpur or relaxing on Malaysia’s tropical islands, GCC travellers will discover a destination that offers something for every interest and travel style.
As the world’s highest-ranked Muslim-friendly destination, Malaysia continues to welcome visitors with meaningful experiences that combine cultural discovery, family-friendly hospitality and unforgettable journeys across its many diverse regions.
From heritage and spirituality to nature, gastronomy and world-class festivals, Malaysia remains an ideal year-round destination for GCC travellers seeking enriching and memorable travel experiences.
About Tourism Malaysia
The Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board, also known as Tourism Malaysia, is an agency under the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia (MOTAC). It focuses on promoting Malaysia as a preferred tourism destination and has, since its establishment, played a significant role in strengthening the country’s presence and competitiveness in the global tourism landscape.
Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) underscores Malaysia’s commitment to sustainable tourism development in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs). As Malaysia’s flagship tourism campaign, VM2026 showcases the nation’s diverse natural attractions, rich cultural heritage, and vibrant tourism offerings while driving inclusive growth and long‑term value for local communities and industry stakeholders. For more information, visit Tourism Malaysia’s social media channels on Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube, and TikTok.
About VFS Global Tourism Services
VFS Global has established its regional and global footprints in the space of tourism services, complementing its core visa services business. With 16 years of experience, the Tourism Services Unit has served more than 25 destinations. The team partners client destinations, across different countries, to enable the achievement of their travel and tourism promotional objectives and business targets. We specialize in destination representation, outsourced tourism office management and trade support services for national tourism authorities from client governments. We facilitate them in a wide range of destination promotional activities.
Some of the key services include dedicated tourism support offices, destination training, product development, B2B roadshows & workshops, consumer events, digital campaigns, MICE engagement program, public relations and e-learning modules. The team is able to partner client destinations across different countries to deliver the desired tourist arrival and spend targets.
About VFS Global
As the global leader in trusted technology services, empowering secure mobility for governments and citizens, VFS Global embraces technological innovation, including Generative AI, to support governments and diplomatic missions worldwide. The company manages non-judgmental and administrative tasks related to applications for visa, passport, and consular services for its client governments, increasing productivity and enabling them to focus entirely on the critical task of assessment.
With a responsible approach to technology development, adoption and integration, the company prioritises ethical practices and sustainability while serving as the trusted partner to 71 client governments. Operating over 4,200 Application Centres in 169 countries, VFS Global has efficiently processed more than 557 million transactions* since 2001.
Headquartered in Zurich and Dubai, VFS Global is majority owned by Blackstone, the world’s largest alternative asset manager, along with minority shareholders including Swiss-based Kuoni and Hugentobler Foundation, Singapore based Temasek and UAE based Dubai Holdings.
* Comprising 344.15 million transactions by VFS Global and 212.94 million transactions by CiX Citizen Experience