Tourism Malaysia launched its calendar of events for Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) at the Malaysia Pavilion during the recently-concluded Vakantiebeurs 2026 in Jaarbeurs Utrecht.
Held from the 7th to the 11th January, Vakantiebeurs is the largest travel fair in the Benelux region, attracting more than 72,000 visitors annually, whilst serving as an important platform for promoting Malaysia to the Dutch travel market.
The soft launch ceremony was officiated by Malaysian ambassador to the Netherlands Roseli Abdul together with Tourism Malaysia director in The Hague Sharifah Hafsya and representatives of participating co-exhibitors.
Led by Tourism Malaysia, with participation from the Sarawak Tourism Board, Dutch tour operators like Pangea Travel, Dim Sum Reizen, and Nomaya Travel, as well as Mike Bikes and Turkish Airlines, the Malaysia Pavilion demonstrated the strong collaboration efforts between Malaysian and Dutch tourism stakeholders.
A touch of Malaysia comes to The Netherlands
The Malaysia Pavilion showcased Malaysia’s diverse tourism offerings, including nature, wildlife, heritage, gastronomy, and urban experiences.
Some highlights included live cooking demonstrations by award-winning Malaysian chef Norman Musa, alongside cultural performances and destination presentations showcasing Malaysia’s rich traditions and travel experiences.
A major draw for visitors was a special consumer giveaway, sponsored by Turkish Airlines in collaboration with Pangea Travel.
The giveaway offered participants the chance to win an eight-day holiday to Malaysia for two persons, inclusive of international return flights.
The prize package also features visits to Kuala Lumpur, Taman Negara, Cameron Highlands, and Melaka, complemented by car rental, providing a comprehensive introduction to Malaysia’s diverse destinations.
