1 - 3 Oct 2025. Malaysia successfully hosted 1,500 of the world's key hospitality and travel industry leaders, innovators and stakeholders at the Global Travel Meet 2025.
The three day mega meet was held at the iconic World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia's largest and beautiful capital city.
I was one of the 100+ media from Asia, Europe, Middle East, Central Asia, Africa and the Americas privileged to attend and cover this historic event.
It was a great time to reconnect with old friends. IIya Houben from the Netherlands is a pioneer blogger and social media creator specialising in Malaysia travel. We first met in 2012 when I just started Johor Kaki blog and IIya generously taught me a lot ๐ Then, Johor Kaki went on to win the best food blog in Malaysia and also Singapore in 2013. Thank you IIya ๐
First business of the first day, the inauguration ceremony of Global Travel Meet 2025.
Honourable Datuk Khairul Firdaus bin Akbar Khan, Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts & Culture Malaysia delivered the keynote address welcoming the 400 Malaysian sellers, 600 international buyers and 100 media from overseas.
Press conference after the keynote address.
The media was amazed by the scale of Global Travel Meet 2025 and its ambitious targets, and many wanted to know more about them from the minister.
Honourable Datuk Khairul Firdaus bin Akbar Khan declared Global Travel Meet 2025 opened for business.
Tourism Minister Dato Sri Tiong King Sing was warmly received by delegates when he arrived at Global Travel Meet 2025.
Group photo of the Singapore delegation comprising travel agencies and media with Puan Norliza Md Zain, Director of Tourism Malaysia in Singapore (Puan is at the front row, fourth from left in the photo).
Formalities duly accomplished.
Let's deal ๐
Doors of opportunity opened for all the delegates, Malaysian and from overseas. Ideas exchanged, imagination triggered, networks and friendships expanded globally. Global Travel Meet is a marketplace of invaluable ideas and opportunities.
Tourism Minister Dato Sri Tiong King Sing shared that the three day Global Travel Meet 2025 generated more than RM420 million in economic impact for Malaysia.
I learned a lot from the seller's presentations / seminars about their organisation's new products, plans, etc.
To celebrate GTM2025 and to launch the Calendar of Events of Visit Malaysia Year 2026, Tourism Association of Malaysia hosted a massive Gala Dinner at Sunway Resort Hotel.
It's a huge party where 1500 delegates and officials attended. The eye opening event went smoothly and guests were well hosted. It's a major feat of planning, organisation and execution skill, a showcase of what Malaysia can do. Travel agencies take note for your next mega MICE event.
Guest of Honour, Tourism Minister Dato Sri Tiong King Sing addressed the Gala Dinner of the Global Travel Meet 2025
This year's GTM attracted 400 Malaysian sellers / suppliers. In future, GTM will be opened to international / overseas sellers to market their products here.
(This is good news. I foresee that, GTM is bound to grow bigger, more diverse, attracting more sellers and buyers local and international, thus setting off a virtuous upward spiral for all stakeholders.)
Tourism Minister Dato Sri Tiong King Sing launched the Tourism Malaysia Calendar of Events COE 2026.
The COE is full - jam packed with exciting, and uniquely Malaysia events and activities from across the country, every week of the year 2026.
I believe COE 2026 will be instrumental in achieving the 47 million visitors target for Visit Malaysia Year 2026.
(Last year [2024], Malaysia received 38 million tourists. By Jun 2025, more than 20 million tourists visited Malaysia.)
Guests were treated to spectacular multi-cultural performances during the dinner.
I love the colours, energy, and welcoming warmth of Malaysians reflected in the performances.
Embracing Visit Malaysia Year 2026 mascots, huggable sun bears Wira and Manja ๐ค
The Shang Sisters Janet Lee, Winnie Ho and Mian Tan entertained us with their unique music blending East and West with deep Nanyang roots. Firmly grounded and open to the world - that's Malaysia.
On the third and final night, we were hosted to the Spice Market Networking Dinner @ Global Travel Meet held at the sprawling MITEC Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre.
YB Tuan Sivakumar A/L Varatharaju Naidu, Chairman of Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau hosted and addressed the guests.
The dinner took us back to 15th century Malacca where the Sultan of Malacca welcome and hosted traders from around the world.
The theme was creative and most apt as there were a lot the heyday of the Malacca Sultanate and the Global Travel Meet have in common, even though we are seven centuries apart.
The Old World - China, India, Arabia, the Nusantara came to Malacca to share the best of their respective lands and brought prosperity for everyone who participated in the exchange.
The Global Travel Meet is the same.
Each of us went home with new ideas, shared our best with all we met, go home with wonderful memories, friendships and will be keeping Malaysia, Truly Asia in our minds everyday. That to me is the greatest, longest lasting measure of success, even though it is intangible and cannot be measured easily.
May Chew, Director of CPI Travel Singapore (third from left in photo) summed it up:
“Had the privilege of attending the Global Travel Meet. Indeed a fruitful engagement with local sellers during the B2B sessions and an inspiring moment witnessing the launch of Visit Malaysia Year 2026. With Malaysia’s diverse offerings, we are excited to bring more groups here in conjunction with the upcoming events next year.”
"Global Travel Meet 2025 is a great platform to connect, collaborate, and discover new opportunities within the travel industry fostering meaningful partnerships and inspiring growth."
"Global Travel Meet confirmed rising demand for Muslim-friendly, sustainable, and experiential travel. Through direct meetings, I have secured introductions and follow-ups with new suppliers, DMCs, and niche experience providers. This expands our base of partners to support refined product development in year 2026."
Global Travel Meet 2025 was a resounding success. It positioned Malaysia as the hub where the world meets, reinforcing its status as a leading global destination and major force in shaping the future of international tourism.
Congratulations Tourism Malaysia ๐ฒ๐พ
Who is Tony Johor Kaki?
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