22/08/2025

LYFE FRIDAY | AUG 22, 2025

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JOHOR’S tourism infrastructure and products are nearly 90% ready as the state steps up large-scale promotions to attract 12 million visitors for Visit Johor Year 2026 (VJY2026). Tourism Johor director Mohammad Nazrul Abd Rahim said marketing efforts focus on key entry points, including airports, ferry terminals, land borders, rest and service areas, and major highways across the state. The campaign also utilises social and mainstream media, alongside partnerships with influencers and local celebrities, to showcase Johor’s Sarawak to host inaugural Mega Fair in Singapore SARAWAK will launch its inaugural Mega Fair in Singapore from Oct 16 to 19, showcasing the state’s business, tourism and cultural offerings in an aggressive push to boost its visibility and draw more investors and visitors, deputy state secretary Datuk Hii Chang Kee said. Organised by the Sarawak government, the event will feature a Business Conference and Trade Exhibition from Oct 16 to 17 at the Suntec Singapore Convention and Exhibition Centre, alongside the Sarawak Carnival and Gastronomy showcase from Oct 16 to 19 at the Suntec City Atrium and Towers 1 and 2. “Sarawak has been a traditional tourism and cultural market for Singaporeans. We want to go a step further. We do not want to be known just for our culture and heritage. “We want to move forward. We are no longer looking at traditional markets and the conventional way of doing things, but are moving aggressively towards the new economy,” he said at a press conference during the pre-launch of the Sarawak Mega Fair. Meanwhile, visitors to the Sarawak Carnival and Gastronomy can look forward to exploring Sarawak’s cultural and heritage offerings, including tourism showcases, live performances, traditional craft demonstrations and interactive activities. “For the Singapore public, I believe this is a great opportunity to learn more about Sarawak’s gastronomy, as well as its cultural and heritage offerings,” he said, noting that with AirBorneo set to begin operations next year, Singaporeans will soon have more options to travel directly to Sarawak. – Bernama Hii says Sarawak has been a traditional tourism and cultural market for Singaporeans.

A view of the Fukuoka cityscape. – PICS FROM 123RF

Travel to Fukuoka from Kota Kinabalu o AirAsia marks inaugural flight connecting both cities via Taipei

A IRASIA Malaysia has made its inaugural flight from Kota Kinabalu to Fukuoka via Taipei. The maiden flight from Taipei to Fukuoka recorded a full load factor of 100%, while its return flight recorded more than 80% to Taipei, marking the airline’s first venture into the Japanese market. Flight AK1510 took off from Kota Kinabalu International Airport at 7.40am on Aug 15 and landed at Fukuoka International Airport at 3.15pm (local time) on the same day. This new service not only allows travellers from Sabah to explore destinations beyond Asean but also opens up

Tourism Malaysia in Japan director Syaliza Abd Aziz said: “This expansion serves as a valuable bridge that strengthens the ties between Japan and Malaysia, opening up greater opportunities for cultural exchange and tourism.” AirAsia Malaysia will operate daily flights on this new fifth-freedom route using the Airbus A320 family narrow-body aircraft (including A320neo) with a maximum capacity of 186 seats, including 42 Hot Seats. Travellers from Kota Kinabalu can now conveniently access Fukuoka with all-in one-way fares starting from RM679, while flights from Taipei to Fukuoka are available from as low as NT$2,990 (RM414) all-in one way. Return flights from Fukuoka to Kota Kinabalu start from ¥23,990 (RM686) and fares for Fukuoka to Taipei sector are available from ¥15,900, all-in one way.

opportunities for guests from Taipei to discover the hidden gems of Fukuoka, fostering greater tourism and economic exchange across the region. Taipei Economic and Cultural

Office in Fukuoka consul general Bruce Chen said: “This new service not only enhances the convenience of travel between Japan and Taiwan through increased flights in the Fukuoka– Taipei sector, but also offers excellent connectivity between East Asia and Southeast Asia on a daily basis. “I am confident this will further promote tourism, business and cultural exchange across the three cities and their respective regions.” Fukuoka International Airport Co Ltd representative director and president & CEO Shinji Tagawa said: “This new route will offer a new travel option not only for passengers in the destination cities, but also for people in Fukuoka and across Kyushu. We expect it will contribute to stronger ties in tourism, business, culture, education and many other fields.”

The launch of this fifth-freedom route is a significant milestone for the airline.

Johor’s tourism infrastructure nearly ready

impactful promotion to position Johor among Malaysia’s top travel destinations. Launched with the Johor Tourism Association, the initiative aims to deploy over 10,000 VJY2026 stickers on public transport and vehicles, including trishaws, motorcycles, cars, tour buses, caravans and e-hailing services. In May, Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi projected RM42 billion in direct and indirect revenue from the campaign, based on the expected tourist arrivals. – Bernama

tourism highlights. “After nearly 13 years since the last Visit Johor Year, which was postponed from 2020 due to the pandemic, now is the ideal time to revive the campaign,” he said at the VJY2026 sticker launch at Sultan Ibrahim Stadium. Key tourism upgrades include a new night experience at the upgraded Johor Zoo and the imminent reopening of eco-tourism sites such as Gunung Ledang Waterfall. Nazrul described the event as the start of a comprehensive, inclusive and

Launched with the Johor Tourism Association, the initiative aims to deploy over 10,000 VJY2026 stickers on public transport and vehicles. – BERNAMAPIC