Dubai, UAE – 19 October 2026 – Tourism Malaysia is inviting travellers from across the GCC to escape the ordinary and experience Malaysia’s vibrant blend of culture, adventure, family-friendly attractions, luxury hospitality, world-class sporting events, and unforgettable celebrations taking place throughout October 2026.
With excellent connectivity from the GCC, visa facilitation, renowned Malaysian hospitality, and a favourable climate for travel, Malaysia continues to be a preferred destination for families, couples, adventure seekers, and luxury travellers looking for unique holiday experiences in Asia.
This October, visitors can immerse themselves in an exciting calendar of international sporting events and cultural festivals. Sports enthusiasts can witness the thrill of the Petronas Grand Prix of Malaysia (MotoGP) at the Sepang International Circuit from 30 October to 1 November, while fitness lovers can participate in National Sport Day 2026 from 9–11 October in Kuala Lumpur. Additional sporting highlights include KOKOL Ultra 2026 in Sabah, the Sarawak International Dragon Boat Regatta 2026, and The Heritage Ride Taiping 2026, reinforcing Malaysia’s position as one of Asia’s leading sports tourism destinations.
Beyond sports, Malaysia offers GCC visitors an opportunity to explore the country’s rich cultural heritage and diverse traditions. Notable events include the Borneo’s Victoria Lion Dance Championship 2026 in Labuan and Festival Gendang Sarawak at the iconic Kuching Waterfront. Art and culture enthusiasts can also visit the acclaimed exhibition, “Tatreez: Reclaiming Palestine Through Embroidery”, at the Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia, which celebrates cultural identity and artistic expression.
For GCC families travelling during the school break period, Malaysia presents an ideal holiday destination with a wide range of experiences, from the iconic attractions of Kuala Lumpur and family entertainment hubs in Genting Highlands and Sunway City, to the pristine beaches of Langkawi, the lush rainforests of Sabah and Sarawak, and the heritage-rich towns of Penang and Melaka.
Malaysia’s growing portfolio of luxury resorts, premium shopping experiences, halal-friendly offerings, wellness retreats, and vibrant culinary scene further enhances its appeal among GCC travellers seeking comfort, convenience, and authentic cultural experiences.
Enhanced air accessibility forms part of this effort, with Gulf Air flights from Manama, Bahrain to Kuala Lumpur having commenced on 29 September 2026, complementing existing connections by Emirates, Etihad, Qatar Airways, Flydubai, Air Arabia and others.
“The GCC remains one of Tourism Malaysia’s most important source markets, and we are delighted to welcome visitors from the region to experience Malaysia this October. Whether travellers are looking for a family getaway, a luxury retreat, an adventure-filled escape, or an immersive cultural journey, Malaysia offers something for everyone. From world-class events and vibrant festivals to stunning islands, cool highlands, exceptional shopping, and renowned halal-friendly hospitality, Malaysia stands ready to deliver memorable experiences for GCC travellers throughout the year,” said Mohd Faharuddin Hatmin, Director, Tourism Malaysia Dubai Office.
Travellers are encouraged to plan their journeys early and take advantage of the wide range of direct flights connecting the GCC to Malaysia. From exciting international events and cultural celebrations to world-class hospitality and breathtaking natural landscapes, Malaysia promises an unforgettable holiday experiences this October.
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 2026-2027 (VM2026-2027) underscores Malaysia’s commitment to sustainable tourism development in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs). As Malaysia’s flagship tourism campaign, VM2026-2027 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 4,300 Application Centres in 170 countries, VFS Global has efficiently processed more than 567 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 349.06 million transactions by VFS Global and 218.52 million transactions by CiX Citizen Experience