03/06/2026

BIZ & FINANCE WEDNESDAY | JUNE 3, 2026

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Traveloka bets on inbound surge and domestic rebound

KUALA LUMPUR: Traveloka is banking on double-digit inbound momentum and domestic recovery to unlock fresh commercial upside in 2026 as the country ramps up its tourism push. Its vice-president for commercial, Charles Wong ( pic ), said forward indicators across the platform point to sustained demand expansion, under-pinned by a broader inter national rebound and policy support tied to Visit Malaysia 2026. “For international inbound travel, Ű BY DEEPALAKSHMI MANICKAM sunbiz@thesundaily.com

“We have a deep understanding of Southeast Asian traveller behaviour, and we are aligning closely with national tourism priorities to champion lesser-known desti nations. At the same time, we are expanding partnerships to offer more comprehensive access to transport, accommodation and attractions,” Wong said. Separately, Traveloka is exploring a collaboration with Resorts World Genting to tap Indonesian outbound demand through bundled, app based travel packages combining flights, hotels and attractions. “The goal is to deliver a seamless, integrated booking experience for travellers seeking convenient short getaways. Details are still being finalised and will be announced in due course,” Wong said. He added that discussions on potential familiarisation trips and media initiatives tied to the partnership are ongoing. With inbound demand streng thening, domestic travel poised for recovery and digital platforms playing a bigger role in distribution, Wong said 2026 could mark a pivotal year for Malaysia’s tourism economy. “The fundamentals are in place for sustained growth, and we see significant headroom across both inbound and domestic segments as Malaysia builds on its position as a leading desti nation in the region,” he said. million. However, gross profit improved by 28.1% to RM24.09 million from RM18.81 million, mainly due to higher overall gross margin of 11.2% compared to 8% in Q4’25. PBT increased sharply to RM5.51 million from RM0.59 million, while the group returned to PAT of RM4.05 million compared to a loss after tax of RM0.13 million in the immediate preceding quarter. Leon Fuat executive director Calvin Ooi Shang How said their focus remains on strengthening opera tional efficiency, enhancing customer engagement and improving value capture through our steel processing and downstream manufacturing capabilities. eased, confectionery players are capitalising on the low prices and planning to put more cocoa content back into their products. We expect to benefit from the demand recovery wave,”Tay said. GCB declared a second interim dividend of 1.5 sen per share in respect of the financial year ending Dec 31, 2026, representing a payout of RM41.1 million. The dividend ex date is June 19, with payment on July 10. In addition to the first interim dividend of 1.5 sen per share paid on April 10, the total payout amounts to RM82.2 million.

o Online travel agency sees Visit Malaysia 2026 as catalyst not just for visitor growth but also for deeper ecosystem partnerships

we are seeing a solid rebound in bookings from markets outside Southeast Asia, with growth well into double digit territory year-on year,” he told SunBiz in an exclusive interview. “Regional demand is also improving, though at a slightly more mo derate pace compared to long-haul markets.” Wong said domestic travel, which softened last year, is expected to

accounts for nearly a fifth of all domestic flight searches,” Wong said. “Kuching is on an even steeper trajectory, with booking value roughly doubling and hotel spend rising close to 60%.” He added that this momentum reflects growing appetite for destinations such as Kota Kinabalu and Kuching, aided by improving connectivity and targeted promo tional campaigns. On the domestic front, Wong highlighted the Malaysian-Chinese segment as one of the fastest-growing user cohorts on Traveloka, with booking activity accelerating sharply in the second half of 2025. “This segment now represents a significant share of our domestic booking volume and is a key driver of overall growth. Its strong digital engagement and distinct travel patterns provide valuable insights into how we tailor our offerings,” he said. While demand is strengthening, pricing strategy remains a key focus for accommodation partners navi gating regional competition. Wong said Traveloka is leaning into data analytics to help operators optimise average daily rates without sacrificing

well established, recent gains suggest that targeted promotions are translating into measurable booking growth. Singapore, meanwhile, is emerging as a high growth contributor, out performing 2024-2025 averages and expanding beyond traditional travel corridors. “We are seeing a pro nounced uptick in both flight and accommodation

competitiveness. “Our role is to provide partners with visibility into market trends, customer preferences and segment level performance, enabling more informed pricing and distribution decisions while maintaining value for guests,” he added. Wong sees Visit Malaysia 2026 as a catalyst not just for visitor growth, but for deeper ecosystem partnerships, particularly among small and medium-sized tourism operators. “The campaign opens up opportunities to collaborate more closely with government agencies and tourism boards, while also empowering SMEs and community based operators to reach a wider Southeast Asian audience through our platform,” he said. He added that a packed calendar of cultural, sports and lifestyle events, alongside a stronger spotlight on emerging destinations such as Perak, Pahang and Terengganu, will encourage longer stays and repeat visits. Strategically, Traveloka aims to differentiate itself from other online travel agencies through its regional data capabilities and localised supply network.

bookings from Singapore. Travellers are increasingly venturing beyond Kuala Lumpur and Johor to explore more of the country,” Wong said, adding that both Indonesia and Singapore are lifting the overall inbound outlook in 2026. Beyond Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak are registering some of the fastest growth rates on the platform, signalling a structural shift in traveller preferences towards nature- and experience-led destinations. “Kota Kinabalu has seen the value of flight bookings rise about 50% year-on-year, with transaction volumes up roughly 30%. It now

it as a compelling long-term growth segment. “For AmanahRaya REIT specifically, this environment rein forces our strategy of redirecting capital from non-core assets into these higher-yield, structurally supported segments while also improving income quality, while maintaining the financial discipline needed to navigate a still-uncertain global landscape,“ Iskandar said. On risks, he said AmanahRaya REIT is cautious about the dynamics and rapid changes in the market environment that could impact tenancy and occupancy, shift demand patterns, evolve tenant needs, and create macro economic uncertainties. “Financing costs, gearing man agement and ensuring our capital recycling moves quickly enough to fund the right acquisitions remain areas we watch closely and manage with discipline. “The benchmark is clear. We have to deliver the kind of consistent, sustainable returns that have made Malaysia’s leading REITs the investment of choice for income-focused investors. That is what drives us,“ Iskandar said. We have to deliver consistent, sustainable returns: Iskandar From page 13 From a source market perspective, Indonesia continues to dominate as Malaysia’s top inbound driver on the platform, with both flight searches and hotel spend trending higher year-on-year. Wong noted that while Indonesia’s affinity for Malaysia is turn the corner, supported by tax relief measures and nationwide pro motional efforts encouraging Malaysians to rediscover local destinations. “All signs point to continued growth in inbound demand and a rebound in domestic travel through out 2026, supported by government backed initiatives,” he said.

Leon Fuat starts FY26 with improved profitability PETALING JAYA: Leon Fuat Bhd, a manufacturer and trader of steel products specialising in rolled long and flat steel, reported a strong start to the financial year ending Dec 31, 2026 (FY26), with significantly improved profitability in the first quarter ended March 31, 2026 (Q1’26). The trading segment contributed RM76.45 million or 35.6% of total revenue, while the processing segment remained the larger performance was the key driver behind the group’s earnings im provement during the quarter. As a result, profit before tax (PBT)

surged by 195.2% to RM5.51 million compared to RM1.87 million in Q1’25, while profit after tax (PAT) increased by 189.1% to RM4.05 million from RM1.40 million previously. Earnings per share strengthened to 1.19 sen compared to 0.41 sen in the preceding year

contributor with RM138.36 million or 64.4% of total revenue. This reflects the group’s continued reliance on its integrated steel trading and value-added processing capabilities, serving customers across a wide range of industries. Gross profit increased by

The group recorded revenue of RM214.84 million in Q1’26, a marginal increase of 1.1% compared to RM212.52 million in the preceding year’s corresponding quarter. Revenue remained broadly stable as the group continued to derive its sales from its core trading and processing of steel products, which collectively contributed about 100% of total revenue during the quarter.

corresponding quarter. Compared with the preceding quarter ended Dec 31, 2025 (Q4’25), revenue was broadly stable at RM214.84 million versus RM217.81

23.3% to RM24.09 million from RM19.54 million in Q1’25, supported by an improvement in overall gross profit margin to 11.2% from 9.2% previously. The stronger margin

Guan Chong posts sweeter Q1 net profit of RM123.6 million PETALING JAYA: Guan Chong Bhd, the world’s fourth largest cocoa grinder recorded a 30.6% jump in net profit to RM123.6 million for the first quarter ended March 31, 2026 (Q1’26), from RM94.6 million in the previous year, attributed to improved grinding margins and lower finance costs. – in tandem with easing cocoa bean prices. The deflated cocoa bean prices have in turn alleviated GCB from the working capital pressures and bor rowing require Managing director and CEO Brandon Tay Hoe Lian said: “With our finance costs now under control, we can start to capture earnings better for the current financial year 2026. “We will gra

dually ramp up our grinding operations in Malaysia, Indo

ments faced by the group when bean prices peaked at

The improved profit was achieved despite a 39.1% decline in revenue to RM2.62 billion, from RM4.31 billion previously. The drop in revenue was due to a decrease in average selling prices of cocoa products – cocoa ingredients and industrial chocolate

nesia, and Ivory Coast to keep up with the expected increase in market demand.” He added that demand for cocoa ingredients is making a comeback. “Now that cocoa bean prices have

over US$12,000 a tonne back in December 2024. As a consequence, the group’s total borrowings declined by 35.2% to RM2.94 billion at end of Q1’26, from RM4.54 billion previously on March 31, 2025.