Hundreds of travel agents from Australia’s leading travel brands gathered in Sydney and Melbourne this week for Tourism Malaysia’s Visit Malaysia 2026 roadshow.
Held over four dates, from 10 to 15 July, the event marked the visit of Malaysia’s Honourable Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Dato Sri Tiong King Sing.
Representatives from major agencies including Flight Centre, Helloworld, MTA and TravelManagers attended the roadshows, which offered an immersive showcase of Malaysia’s culture, cuisine, and connectivity.
The events were held at the Fullerton Hotel in Sydney and the Grand Hyatt in Melbourne.
Guests were treated to authentic Malaysian food, vibrant live performances by Malaysian dancers and singers, and the chance to win spectacular prizes thanks to the event’s sponsors. Attendees also connected with key partners – Malaysia Airlines, Batik Air and AirAsia – who shared updates on travel offerings and insights into the destination.
Malaysia: The Flavourful Heart of Southeast Asia
Malaysia’s cultural richness took centre stage, with Tourism Malaysia’s Balljid Kour playfully describing the country as the “tasty middle” between Thailand and Singapore.
“We have the bread on the top – that’s Thailand – and the bread on the bottom – that’s Singapore. But the juicy part remains in the middle. That’s Malaysia. That is truly Asia,” she said.
She emphasised the nation’s multicultural identity: “We’re a multi-racial country – Malay, Chinese, Indian, Eurasian – and we understand how to greet, how to Salaam. It’s beautiful.”
Highlighting Malaysia’s culinary fame, she added that Penang continues to be hailed as the street food capital of the world by outlets like CNN and Lonely Planet. “Whether it’s spicy laksa or jackfruit desserts, the variety is unbeatable.”
Better Connected Than Ever
Connectivity was a major talking point, with Malaysia Airlines’ Lachlan Burnet announcing increased services from Australia.
“We already fly twice daily from Sydney and Melbourne. From October, we’ll be increasing that to three daily flights from each city,” he shared. “You can have breakfast in Sydney and dinner in Saigon, Bangkok, or Hong Kong – it’s that convenient.”
A Cultural Celebration
Dato Sri Tiong King Sing addressed attendees with warmth, highlighting Malaysia’s world-class hospitality and the richness of its cultural and eco-tourism. He also expressed hopes to deepen ties between Malaysia and Australia through ongoing travel partnerships.
Entertainment was a major highlight, with traditional Malaysian performers flying in especially for the occasion, and a show-stopping set from Australian singer and social media personality Cassidy La Crème. Her multilingual performance in Cantonese, English, and Malay earned a rapturous response – some guests even jumped up on stage to dance along.
If one message came through loud and clear, it’s this: Malaysia has soul. Find out more about what Malaysia can do for your clients here.
