The ASEAN Tourism Records and ASIA Tourism Records, together with the nationwide engagement initiative Meneroka Malaysia Bersama WIRA & MANJA, were today formally officiated by YB Dato’ Sri Tiong King Sing, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia, in a ceremony marking a strategic alignment with Visit Malaysia Year 2026.
The ministerial officiation and signing ceremony represents a significant milestone in positioning Tourism Records as a complementary national framework that supports Malaysia’s tourism development agenda through structured, factual, and verifiable documentation of tourism assets.
From Regional Launch to National Alignment
The ASEAN Tourism Records and ASIA Tourism Records initiatives were first launched on 22 October 2025 during the ASEAN Records Gala Night in Kuala Lumpur, officiated by TYT Tun Seri Setia Dr. Mohd Ali bin Mohd Rustam, Yang di-Pertua Negeri Melaka.
Today’s ministerial officiation by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) formalises the initiatives’ role in supporting national tourism priorities and reinforces their relevance under Visit Malaysia Year 2026.
This endorsement underscores the Government’s recognition of Tourism Records as a value-adding platform that documents and presents Malaysia’s tourism strengths through objective, measurable, and non-commercial records, rather than conventional promotional narratives.
A Structured Approach to Tourism Documentation
According to Gillian Ooi and Eldrick Koh, Directors of ASEAN Records and ASIA Records, the Tourism Records initiatives were developed to provide deeper context and appreciation of destinations by presenting tourism value through verified facts and historical documentation.
“Tourism Records are designed to complement national tourism efforts by offering visitors and stakeholders a clearer understanding of what makes a destination meaningful — through authenticity, heritage, and measurable significance,” they said.
The initiatives focus on recognising and documenting non-commercial tourism assets, including:
- Natural and ecological heritage sites
- Historical and cultural landmarks
- Publicly accessible tourism attractions
- Community-based and heritage-managed destinations
This structured documentation supports heritage preservation, sustainable tourism development, and informed destination discovery.
Nationwide Engagement Through Meneroka Malaysia Bersama WIRA & MANJA
The Tourism Records initiatives are implemented alongside Meneroka Malaysia Bersama WIRA & MANJA, a nationwide engagement programme designed to journey across all 13 states of Malaysia.
The programme promotes tourism appreciation through:
- Record-based storytelling
- Cultural interaction
- Community participation
- On-ground destination engagement
By bringing records directly to communities, the initiative aims to strengthen local pride, enhance tourism literacy, and encourage meaningful participation in Malaysia’s tourism ecosystem.
Strengthening Malaysia’s Regional Tourism Leadership
The officiation by the Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture reinforces Malaysia’s position as a regional leader in championing tourism authenticity, heritage preservation, and sustainability.
Through ASEAN Tourism Records and ASIA Tourism Records, Malaysia’s tourism assets are positioned not only for domestic appreciation, but also for greater visibility at ASEAN and Asia levels, supported by credible documentation and verified records.
The initiatives will continue to support Visit Malaysia Year 2026, encouraging both domestic and international visitors to explore Malaysia through a deeper understanding of its diverse destinations, cultural richness, and shared heritage.
