#TECH: Tourism Malaysia, Honor partner to promote Visit Malaysia 2026 through mobile photography

New Straits Times

16-07-2025

FROM bustling street markets to serene jungle trails, Malaysia's most photogenic moments may soon reach global audiences through the lens of a smartphone.
Tourism Malaysia has partnered with global technology brand Honor to promote the country's cultural and natural beauty ahead of Visit Malaysia 2026. The collaboration will feature mobile photography competitions, workshops, exhibitions and cultural events.
The highlight of the campaign is the Honor Magic Moments Awards, an international photography contest now open to Malaysians, giving them the chance to capture and share Malaysia's diverse charms through their smartphones.
Honor South Pacific president, Justin Li, said the collaboration reflected the brand's commitment to enriching lives through innovation and supporting Malaysia's national tourism goals.
"At the beginning of 2025, Tourism Malaysia launched a clear and inspiring direction for Visit Malaysia 2026, aiming to attract 35.6 million tourists and generate RM147.1 billion in receipts. This ambitious vision will showcase the best of Malaysia to the world, celebrating the country's rich cultural diversity, dynamic growth, and the warmth of its people," he said.
Li added that the partnership was part of Honor's broader vision, which included youth empowerment, digital skills development and smarter everyday experiences.
"Under 'Honor My Future', we will continue to foster youth empowerment, digital skills development and innovation, enabling the next generation to thrive in the intelligent era. Under 'Honor My Life', we aim to enrich daily life with smarter experiences, helping people capture their moments, stay connected and explore the world with creativity and ease," he said.
He also highlighted the importance of this collaboration in deepening diplomatic and economic ties.
"This partnership contributes to the high-quality development of Malaysia's tourism industry while further strengthening cultural exchanges between China and Malaysia," he said, while thanking the Chinese Embassy in Malaysia for its continued support.
Li said technology would play a central role in shaping travel experiences moving forward.
"We believe that technology is an essential driver of smart tourism," he said.
Tourism Malaysia deputy director-general Lee Thai Hung said the collaboration was an example of how innovation could be harnessed to elevate Malaysia's visibility globally.
"This moment not only marks a new chapter in our strategic cooperation, but also the significance of our unwavering commitment to integrate technology into the future of tourism promotions," he said.
He added that the use of mobile photography would help uncover new sights beyond the typical tourism hotspots.
"We hope Honor can help us get users to explore lots of other hidden gems of Malaysia," he said, citing destinations beyond Kuala Lumpur, Sabah and Sarawak, including newly recognised sites such as the Forest Research Institute Malaysia, which was recently listed as the country's sixth Unesco site.
Lee also highlighted the power of mobile users in today's digital age.
"Everyone owns a videographer now," he said, noting that travellers can now become ambassadors of Malaysian tourism simply by sharing their journeys through smartphones.
The partnership will also see Honor producing travel content using its latest foldable smartphone, the Honor Magic V5. The device includes AI-powered features such as real-time screen sharing, a split screen for price comparison and AI Translate for smoother communication between tourists and locals.
Its camera system includes a 64MP periscope telephoto lens with 100x zoom, designed to help users capture vivid travel moments with ease. At just 8.8mm when folded, the Magic V5 is currently the slimmest foldable smartphone in the world.
"As a global leading AI device ecosystem company, Honor is committed to revolutionising human-device interactions and empowering people to embrace the new intelligent world," said Li.