TOURISM Malaysia is ramping up engagement with local travel trade players to boost two-way visitor arrivals and lay the groundwork for resuming direct flights between Davao City and Malaysia.
Tourism Malaysia brought a delegation of over 30 delegates from 20 Malaysian tourism companies to establish direct linkages with Mindanao-based travel agencies during the Malaysia Sales Mission on Thursday, Aug. 20, at Dusit Thani Hotels in Davao City.
The event marked Tourism Malaysia’s return to Davao for B2B sessions following its last roadshow in May 2023.
Speaking at the event, Lee Thai Hung, deputy director general of Tourism Malaysia, noted that current air routes require Mindanao travelers to transit through Manila, Cebu, or Singapore.
He stressed that building stronger mutual travel demand could justify charter flights that may eventually lead to regular scheduled direct services.
“Market business is about demand and supply. If we can manage to create the demand through transit or other means to go to Malaysia, as well as Malaysians coming over, then surely we can convince airline companies to start with charters and then go for scheduled flights,” he said.
The deputy director said the Philippines is currently Malaysia’s eighth-largest foreign tourist market.
Beyond traditional attractions such as Kuala Lumpur and Genting Highlands, Malaysian tourism officials are promoting secondary destinations, cultural heritage, and specialized travel segments including halal-friendly travel, family theme parks, and experiential gastronomy.
“Because right now, tourists or visitors, every one of us as well, we are not just about having the place to take a photo. It’s about the experiences. It’s about the in-depth experience, the real thing that you are experiencing at that moment,” he said.
He stressed that the country, along with businesses from Mindanao, can jointly curate more programs that align with enjoying the holiday, food, and culture while assuring tourist safety.
The sales mission seeks to promote Malaysia to Filipinos beyond Kuala Lumpur’s Twin Towers, which have been famous for the past 20 years, but there is much to see in small towns and second-tier cities.
Dr. Khairul Hilmi Manap, deputy director at the Malaysian International Promotion Division, highlighted the country’s year-round tropical climate and relative freedom from major natural disasters like typhoons.
Manap also discussed the Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign showcasing Malaysia’s diverse attractions, rich cultural heritage, and tourism.
The country also offers long-term stay incentives under the “Malaysia My Second Home” (MM2H) program, which provides foreign nationals the opportunity to reside in Malaysia under favorable conditions.
“Malaysia My Second Home,” where you can have the privilege of getting to Malaysia for education, for having properties in Malaysia, as well as if you are going for the platinum category, then you also have the business entity to apply,” Hung said.
Local travel stakeholders in Davao took advantage of the B2B, which allowed operators to partner directly with Malaysian product owners and tour agencies, such as hotels and accommodations, and transportation rentals.
