A Message From Panorama Destination Malaysia: Greetings from Kuala Lumpur! As February begins, Malaysia’s tourism landscape is gaining strong momentum. Preparations for Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) continue to unfold nationwide, and recent announcements around a full calendar of festivals, cultural celebrations and creative events reflect a clear commitment to positioning Malaysia as a vibrant, welcoming and experience-led destination in the year…
A message from Panorama Destination Indonesia Warm greetings from Indonesia! February brings several important celebrations to Indonesia’s cultural calendar. Chinese New Year will be celebrated on 16 February, followed by the start of Ramadan on 20 February – a period marked by reflection, community and distinctive local traditions. These meaningful celebrations can also add cultural depth and interest for visitors travelling during this period. As we move…
Vietnam is continuing to diversify its tourism offering, with Hưng Yên and Hải Phòng emerging as rising destinations for cultural tourism beyond the country’s traditional hotspots. Located in northern Vietnam, Hưng Yên is gaining attention for its rich historical heritage and strong links to traditional Vietnamese culture. Often referred to as the ‘land of literature and scholars’, the province is home to ancient…
Vietnam closed 2025 as one of Southeast Asia’s strongest performing inbound tourism markets, welcoming a growing number of international visitors and reinforcing its reputation as a diverse, high-value destination. Improved connectivity, favourable visa policies and strong demand from both regional and long-haul markets helped sustain momentum throughout the year. International Arrivals Maintain Upward Trajectory International arrivals to…
Thailand has taken a significant step towards greener travel with the launch of a new Sustainable Tourism Plan, setting out a clear roadmap for responsible tourism development in 2026. The plan focuses on reducing the environmental footprint of tourism while strengthening community involvement and long-term economic resilience. Key priorities include lowering carbon emissions across the travel sector,…
In 2025, Thailand reaffirmed its position as one of the world’s leading international tourism destinations, welcoming tens of millions of overseas visitors and generating strong tourism revenue despite a complex global travel landscape. The year was marked by the return of large-scale international travel, continued diversification of source markets and a notable rise in long-haul,…
Malaysia has officially launched its Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) campaign, marking a major milestone in the country’s efforts to strengthen international tourism and position itself for sustained growth over the coming years. The campaign, which came into effect on 1 January 2026, sets out an ambitious vision to showcase Malaysia’s diverse tourism offerings, from vibrant cities and cultural…
In 2025, Malaysia’s inbound tourism sector continued its strong post-pandemic recovery, welcoming a growing number of international visitors and building momentum ahead of the launch of the Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign. Improved air connectivity, targeted international marketing and renewed confidence in regional and long-haul travel all contributed to a very positive year for the destination. In this special end-of-year article, we look back…
Indonesia left the pandemic’s travel restrictions behind in 2025 and continued its robust rebound, driven by rising international arrivals, strengthened domestic travel and a strategic shift towards diversified destination promotion. With strong growth in key markets, a focus on sustainable travel and fresh product development, Indonesia closed out the year with confidence and optimism for 2026. In this end-of-year article, we revisit some of the…
In 2025, the Pacu Jalur Festival in Riau, Indonesia, went viral. With the international spotlight on Riau, this event demonstrated the power of cultural heritage to drive tourism growth, evidenced by one of Sumatra’s most exciting annual events. Held along the Kuantan River in Kuantan Singingi Regency in August 2025, the Pacu Jalur Festival – a traditional long-boat racing event with roots stretching back…