Gawai turns Kuching Int’l Airport into cultural gateway for Visit Malaysia 2026 push

Mohd Roslan (back row, 9th left), Rubiah (on his left) and others pose for a group photo at Kuching International Airport (KIA) on June 1, 2026.

By Shikin Louis

KUCHING, June 1: Kuching International Airport (KIA) was transformed into a vibrant cultural gateway today as Tourism Malaysia welcomed arriving visitors with Gawai-themed celebrations, reinforcing the country’s Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) push through immersive cultural experiences.

The initiative, held in conjunction with the Kaamatan and Gawai harvest festivals, saw passengers greeted with traditional performances, festive decorations, and warm Malaysian hospitality, including souvenirs and local Gawai delicacies at the arrival hall.

The celebrations were part of a wider rollout across Malaysia’s key entry points, with similar programmes held at Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA) on May 30 and Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Terminal 1 on May 31 before concluding in Kuching today.

The Kuching event was attended by Tourism Malaysia’s Senior Director of Domestic & Events Division, Mohd Roslan Abdullah; Tourism Malaysia Sarawak Region director Rubiah Tul’Adwiyah Md Yusof; Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak (MTCP) permanent secretary Morshidi Fredrick; representatives from Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB), Batik Air, tourism associations and government agencies.

Mohd Roslan said the airport activation formed part of Tourism Malaysia’s strategy to showcase cultural experiences at first points of entry, particularly highlighting Sabah and Sarawak’s signature festivals.

“It is symbolic as we welcome visitors in conjunction with the Gawai Festival today. This is one of the cultural products in Borneo, especially in Sarawak. It is part of our programme to promote Visit Malaysia Year 2026,” he told reporters at the venue.

Mohd Roslan also said Malaysia is adjusting its tourism strategy to focus on stable source markets amid global uncertainties.

“In terms of strategy, due to global conflict issues, Tourism Malaysia together with the industry is focusing on conflict-free markets, especially Australia, China, India and ASEAN countries, which remain strong contributors to tourist arrivals,” he said.

He added that Malaysia recorded 10.6 million international visitor arrivals as of March 2026, marking a 5.4 per cent increase compared to the same period in 2025, reflecting sustained momentum for VM2026.

Meanwhile, Rubiah said similar Gawai welcoming programmes will continue across the State in the coming days.

“Apart from the programme at Kuching International Airport today, tomorrow (Tuesday) we will have a Gawai open house in Bintulu, and on Wednesday in Sibu.

“All of them will be officiated and welcomed by Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing. That is the programme we have prepared for the Gawai welcome in Sarawak,” she said.

She added that more VM2026-related initiatives in Sarawak are in the pipeline, with details to be unveiled progressively.

“We will reveal everything one by one. For now, we are focusing on Gawai preparations first, and later we will roll out other programmes planned until the end of this year,” she added.

In conjunction with the festivities, a Mega Familiarisation (Mega Fam) programme is also being held from May 29 to June 5, involving 15 media representatives and influencers from Southeast Asia, East Asia and South Asia, including the Philippines, Vietnam, China, South Korea and India.

The eight-day programme aims to spotlight Kaamatan and Gawai celebrations while promoting Malaysia as a culturally vibrant destination under VM2026. — DayakDaily