KPL
Malaysia is strengthening its tourism ties with Laos through a vibrant and forward-looking industry event held in Vientiane. In collaboration with the Embassy of Malaysia in Vientiane, Tourism Malaysia successfully organised the “Surreal Experiences from City Lights to Island Paradise, Malaysia Has It All” Seminar, B2B Session and Networking Dinner 2026 at Souphattra Hotel.
The event marked the fifth such seminar in Vientiane since the pandemic, underscoring Malaysia’s continued commitment to building strong partnerships with Lao travel agents and positioning itself as a leading holiday destination for Lao travellers in Asia.
The programme drew prominent attendees, including Mr Phouthone Dalalom, Deputy Director General of the Tourism Marketing and Promotion Department under the Ministry of Culture and Tourism; Mr Edi Irwan Mahmud, Ambassador of Malaysia to the Lao PDR; and Dr Khairul Hilmi A. Manap, Deputy Director of the International Promotion Division (South-East Asia), Tourism Malaysia.
In his remarks, Ambassador Edi Irwan Mahmud highlighted the significance of Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026), describing it as a landmark campaign aimed at attracting millions of international visitors. He emphasised that Laos is a key regional market in Malaysia’s early promotional efforts, with initiatives designed to raise awareness and inspire Lao travellers to explore Malaysia’s diverse offerings.
“To build excitement for Visit Malaysia 2026, we are actively engaging with Lao travel agencies, airlines, and tourism stakeholders through seminars, business-to-business sessions, and networking events,” he said.
Ms. Sordaly Chanthavong, TOURISM Marketing Manager TOURISM MALAYSIA LAOS(sordaly@tourism.gov.my. +856 21 414205-6 Ext. 109 Malays @ 2026 +856 20 5463 3999).
The seminar showcased Malaysia’s wide range of attractions—from the iconic skyline of Kuala Lumpur to the pristine beaches of Langkawi, as well as cultural and heritage destinations such as Penang, Malacca and Ipoh. Other highlighted destinations included Selangor, Johor Bahru, Putrajaya, Terengganu, Pahang and Sabah, each offering unique experiences for international visitors.
Tourism Malaysia emphasised that achieving the ambitious goals of VM2026 will require strategic planning, including targeted market segmentation, robust promotional campaigns, infrastructure readiness and seamless visitor experiences. Collaboration remains central to this effort, with partnerships spanning airlines, hotels, travel agencies and tourism stakeholders both in Malaysia and abroad—including Laos.
Beyond tourism, Malaysia also promoted its education sector, positioning itself as an attractive destination for Lao students seeking quality international education at competitive costs. With a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes offered by reputable institutions, Malaysia continues to gain traction as a value-driven study destination.
The growing interest among Lao travellers is reflected in recent tourism statistics. Since the reopening of borders in 2022, visitor numbers from Laos to Malaysia have surged dramatically:
2022: 9,257 arrivals (up 2078.12% from 2021)
2023: 23,339 arrivals (up 152.12%)
2024: 26,085 arrivals (up 11.71%)
2025: 31,759 arrivals (up 21.75%)
These figures highlight Malaysia’s rising popularity and the effectiveness of ongoing promotional efforts.
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The roadshow featured key Malaysian tourism players, including AirAsia, Scoot Air and Vinz Travel & Tour, alongside 48 Lao travel agents and media representatives, bringing total participation to around 100 attendees. The event provided a platform for networking, business matching and collaborative discussions aimed at developing attractive travel packages tailored to Lao tourists.
The evening concluded on a festive note with a raffle draw, where participants had the chance to win exciting prizes such as hotel stays, theme park tickets and tour packages—adding a memorable touch to an already impactful event.
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With momentum building towards Visit Malaysia 2026, initiatives like this signal a strong and growing tourism partnership between Malaysia and Laos—opening doors to new travel opportunities and shared economic growth.
