July 2025

Parkroyal Penang Resort

Latest Destination Highlights & Travel Opportunities Across Malaysia

Hello from GMTC Malaysia! July delivered a fresh round of destination activity for planners across MICE, corporate, and multi-destination leisure. From the Borneo Cultural Festival in Sibu to offbeat trails in Northern Sabah and cultural celebrations in Penang, group travel demand continued to grow. Ipoh gained momentum as a heritage stop, while Kuala Lumpur welcomed new air connectivity and launched flexible land packages for short-stay programs. Let’s take a closer look.

Key Destination Highlights – July 2025

  • Sibu, Sarawak: Borneo Cultural Festival drew international and domestic visitors with 10 days of Dayak, Chinese, Malay, and Melanau performances, food fairs, and cultural contests.

  • Northern Sabah: Mansau‑Ansau North Borneo Trail trip spotlighted community-led tourism in Tamparuli, Tuaran, Kota Belud, and Kudat—ideal for offbeat incentive programs.

  • Kuala Lumpur: Loong Air’s Xi’an–KL route (3× weekly) is now live, boosting access for Chinese groups—supported by extended visa-free entry for Chinese travelers.

  • Ipoh, Perak: Gaining traction for its colonial charm and food culture, Ipoh saw growing interest as a mid-point destination for incentive and leisure programs.

  • Penang: Bon Odori Festival offered a cultural bridge between Malaysia and Japan, attracting both regional visitors and expat groups. 

Parkroyal Penang Resort

Destination Spotlight – Ipoh, Perak

In early July, Ipoh stood out as a destination where colonial heritage, street art, and limestone caves combine to offer unique group experiences. Perfect for incentive travelers and cultural itineraries, the city’s rich history and vibrant food scene deliver local authenticity and adventure.

Key experiences included: 

  1. Colonial Architecture & Street Art Walks: Experience Ipoh’s historic buildings and vibrant street art on guided tours. 
  2. Limestone Caves & Temples: Visit impressive caves and serene temples like Perak Cave and Kek Lok Tong.
  3. Culinary Food Trails: Taste local Malay and Chinese specialties at classic cafés and hawker stalls.
  4. Heritage Day Trips: Explore Kellie’s Castle and cultural temples amid scenic surroundings.

Add Ipoh to Your Malaysia Journey!

  • Enhance your group's experience with heritage walks, cave temples, and legendary local food. Contact us now to customize your Ipoh cultural stopover!

Parkroyal Penang Resort

Festival Highlights Across Malaysia

Festivals continue to drive demand for group and thematic travel programs, offering planners fresh ways to design creative and seasonal itineraries:

  • Borneo Cultural Festival, Sibu: 10 days of multicultural performances, food fairs, and contests celebrating Dayak, Chinese, Malay, and Melanau heritage.
  • Bon Odori Festival, Penang: A lively celebration bridging Malaysian and Japanese cultures, drawing regional visitors and expat groups.
  • Rainforest World Music Festival, Sarawak: A top choice for youth, music, and community-focused groups seeking immersive outdoor programs.
  • George Town Festival, Penang: August’s flagship event for arts and culture, ideal for twin-city programs starting from Kuala Lumpur.
Parkroyal Penang Resort

KL Land Packages  

Newly Launched for Short Stays

To make the most of Malaysia’s growing appeal, GMTC’s KL Land Packages now support short-stay programs for FITs and groups, available on a seat-in-coach basis. Each option includes private return airport transfers and a city tour.

Choose what fits best: 

  • KL Starter – basic arrival-day tour 

  • Sunway Splash – adds a full day at Sunway Lagoon 

  • Highland Escape – includes Genting Highlands day trip with cable car

 

Travel Momentum and Upcoming Opportunities in Malaysia

July gave us plenty to work with for upcoming proposals and Q4 programs. Here's how to carry that momentum forward:

  • Malaysia welcomed over 10 million international arrivals in Q1 2025, with visa-free access extended for travelers from China, India, and GCC countries. This positions Malaysia as a leading hub for MICE and group travel in the region.

  • The Mansau-Ansau Trail in Northern Sabah is ideal for cultural extensions or incentive groups looking for slower, locally rooted experiences.

  • New KL land packages offer a simple structure for short-stay programs or stopovers, making it easy to connect with East Malaysia or broader regional circuits.

  • The Xi’an–KL flight route (launched 6 July) adds planning flexibility for China-based groups. Pair it with GMTC’s KL Land Packages or KL–Sabah combo routes to build stronger itineraries.

  • Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign activity is picking up in Kuala Lumpur, offering planners a great moment to align proposals with national tourism efforts through inspection visits, land package pairings, or early programming.

Stay Connected 

If you’re planning programs for Q4 or exploring new markets, now’s a good time to reconnect. Our team can support updated routing ideas, sample packages, and destination suggestions tailored to your group needs. 

Need a quick turnaround? We recently delivered a 4-day incentive program across Penang, Ipoh, Genting Highlands, and Kuala Lumpur for 150 Indonesian guests—with just 24 hours’ notice. 

Read the full case study of to see how we make tight timelines work.