Malaysia Launches Visit Malaysia Expo 2026 in Phnom Penh to Promote its Tourism, Culture and Cuisine, Strengthening New Ties with Cambodia for Visit Malaysia Year

Published on December 8, 2025

Malaysia, in collaboration with the Malaysian Tourism Board in Cambodia, the Malaysian Embassy, and the Ministry of Tourism of Cambodia, organized the Visit Malaysia Expo 2026 in Phnom Penh during December 6 and 7, 2025. The event took place at AEON Mall Meanchey over two days to promote Malaysia’s tourism, culture, traditions, and food to the Cambodian public, while gearing up for the Visit Malaysia Year 2026.

The expo showcased a variety of Malaysian travel agencies, healthcare providers, and related institutions, which allowed the attendees to explore diverse travel packages, tourism experiences, and consultations from Malaysian hospitals. According to Pot Rany, Marketing Manager of the Malaysian Tourism Board in Cambodia, the expo is an important outlet for displaying Malaysia’s richly diversified culture and ethnic groups, as well as vibrant tourism opportunities.

Strengthening Malaysia-Cambodia Relations Through Tourism

At the opening ceremony, Puan Nur Herzazzila Ghazali, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Malaysian Embassy in Cambodia, underscored the importance of the Visit Malaysia Expo 2026 as a means to strengthen tourism cooperation between Malaysia and Cambodia. She noted that Malaysia had prepared numerous programs to welcome tourists in 2026, with a specific focus on attracting Cambodian visitors. The expo highlighted Malaysia’s commitment to becoming an international tourism hub and its welcoming stance toward visitors from Cambodia.

Katoeu Mohammad Nossry, Secretary of State at Cambodia’s Ministry of Tourism, also spoke at the event, emphasizing the significance of the expo in promoting bilateral tourism. He noted that 2025 marks the 68th anniversary of Cambodia-Malaysia diplomatic relations, and celebrated the success of tourism exchanges, with 70,000 Malaysian tourists visiting Cambodia in the first ten months of the year. Nossry expressed hopes that targeted campaigns aimed at Muslim tourists, especially those from Malaysia, would continue to foster strong tourism ties between the two nations.

A Cultural Showcase and Interactive Activities for Tourists

The Visit Malaysia Expo 2026 featured a variety of engaging activities for attendees, offering a deep dive into Malaysia’s culture and heritage. Malaysian art performances, traditional costume try-ons, Batik painting, and Henna art were among the highlights, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the rich cultural traditions of Malaysia. These interactive experiences not only celebrated Malaysia’s cultural diversity but also provided opportunities for tourism promotion and cultural exchange.

For attendees looking to take home a piece of the experience, the expo offered games with prizes and the chance to win plane tickets and tour packages to Malaysia, encouraging more visitors to plan their future trips to the country. The tourism-driven activities helped create a more interactive experience for both Cambodian locals and international visitors, further enhancing the tourism relationship between Malaysia and Cambodia.

Tourism Growth and Future Impact on Economic Development

The Visit Malaysia Expo 2026 serves as an integral part of Malaysia’s tourism strategy to attract more international visitors. The expo’s success is expected to generate long-term economic benefits, particularly in terms of tourism spending. As more Cambodians and international visitors express interest in Malaysia’s tourism offerings, there will be increased demand for accommodation, transportation, local businesses, and cultural experiences. These increases in tourism revenues will help boost Malaysia’s economy and support job creation in key tourism sectors such as hospitality, tour guides, and local artisans.

Additionally, the expo will contribute to the growth of cultural tourism in both Malaysia and Cambodia, fostering cross-cultural exchanges and creating more tourism opportunities for local communities. The partnership between Cambodia and Malaysia strengthens the two countries’ mutual interest in supporting sustainable tourism that benefits local populations, tourism operators, and national economies.

Building a Strong Tourism Corridor Between Malaysia and Cambodia

By integrating Malaysia’s cultural identity with MICE tourism (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions), the Visit Malaysia Expo 2026 helps promote the country’s role as a global tourism leader. The integration of cultural activities into business tourism is a strategic move to diversify the tourism sector and attract both business travelers and cultural explorers to the region.

Looking ahead, this expo and future tourism collaborations are set to play an integral role in strengthening bilateral ties and fostering tourism partnerships between Malaysia and Cambodia. As tourism traffic continues to grow, the benefits will extend beyond the event itself, enhancing tourism infrastructure and cultural exchange in both countries. By promoting Malaysia’s rich cultural heritage and cultural tourism offerings, the expo aligns with Visit Malaysia 2026 and Malaysia Year for Medical Tourism 2026, creating a diverse tourism offering that appeals to a global audience.

Strengthening Tourism Ties and Expanding Economic Opportunities

The Visit Malaysia Expo 2026 is more than a promotion of either nation; it is one major step toward strengthening tourism links between Malaysia and Cambodia while nurturing cultural and economic growth. With Malaysia’s tourism assets, rich cultural traditions, and natural beauty showcased in the expo, the event contributes to tourism diversification in both nations. Tourism remains a vital sector for economic development and job creation, and this partnership is a vital step in ensuring the industry’s long-term success and sustainable growth for both Malaysia and Cambodia. With this and similar actions, both countries are starting to build a future of strong tourism links and economic wealth.