Visit Malaysia 2026 Gets a Lift with Scoot

By The Malketeer

In a move set to supercharge Malaysia’s tourism ambitions, Scoot has inked a three-year strategic partnership with Tourism Malaysia—marking a timely alliance as the nation gears up for Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026).

The memorandum of collaboration (MoC), signed at Scoot’s Singapore headquarters, will see both parties work hand-in-hand to promote Malaysia as a leading travel destination across core regional markets: Singapore, Australia, Indonesia, and China.

The partnership will run until August 2028, underscoring long-term commitment from both sides to reposition Malaysia on the global travel radar.

Scoot’s Expanding Malaysian Footprint

Scoot, the low-cost arm of Singapore Airlines, already operates flights to 11 destinations across Malaysia—including Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Kuching, and Langkawi.

That number is set to grow to 12 with the addition of Kota Bharu on 26 October, boosting Scoot’s total frequency to 115 weekly flights into the country.

“Malaysia has always been a key market for us,” said Agatha Yap, Scoot’s Director of Marketing, Communications and Loyalty.

“This collaboration enables us to elevate Malaysia’s visibility and inspire more travellers to explore the diverse cities and experiences Scoot connects them to.”

Yap also highlighted Malaysia’s 30-day visa-free entry for Singaporeans and many ASEAN and Asia-Pacific travellers as a strong added incentive.

A Strategic Push for Regional Travel

Tourism Malaysia’s Director General, Datuk Dr Manoharan Periasamy, described the partnership as “strategic and timely,” especially with tourism bouncing back robustly post-pandemic.

“Scoot’s extensive network allows us to tap into valuable regional markets and showcase Malaysia’s diversity to more international visitors,” he noted.

Indeed, Malaysia is experiencing a resurgence in inbound travel.

As of May 2025, the country had welcomed 16.9 million international arrivals—a 20.4% year-on-year increase. Singapore led the pack with 8.3 million visitors, followed by Indonesia, China, Thailand, and India.

Tourism Malaysia is eyeing 43 million international visitors by end-2025. Strategic collaborations—like this latest one with Scoot—are central to achieving that goal.

Fuel for the Visit Malaysia 2026 Engine

The Scoot partnership builds on a string of recent marketing moves.

Tourism Malaysia has teamed up with platforms like Agoda and Xiaohongshu to reach new traveller segments, especially in the Chinese market.

Campaigns have emphasised Malaysia’s rich cultural tapestry, culinary depth, and biodiversity.

New promotional films—including Echoes of Harmony: Malaysia’s Heartbeat—have been released to stir interest.

Meanwhile, niche packages such as stargazing-themed eco-travel are being promoted in Singapore and beyond to position Malaysia as an emerging destination for eco-tourism and astronomy tourism.

More Than Just a Flight

The Scoot-Tourism Malaysia collaboration will include integrated marketing campaigns and co-branded initiatives.

These range from digital content and promotions to familiarisation trips for media and influencers, all spotlighting Malaysia’s varied tourism offerings—from bustling cities and historic towns to rainforests and islands.

With Visit Malaysia 2026 on the horizon, the travel industry is poised for a defining comeback—and this partnership ensures that Malaysia has the lift, reach, and visibility it needs to soar again.