Matfa to showcase country's theme parks ahead of VM2026
'Malaysia is home to a wide array of world-class theme parks, edutainment centres, and family attractions that offer memorable experiences for all age groups,' said Matfa president Tan Sri Richard Koh.
'With VM2026 just around the corner, this is the perfect opportunity to showcase the best of what we have to offer – from thrilling rides and water parks to rich cultural experiences and interactive learning zones," he added.
To attract longer stays and increase visitor's satisfaction, Matfa is preparing a variety of value-added packages, themed events, seasonal offers, and cross-promotions leading up to 2026.
The aim of these efforts, said Koh, was to entice visitors to explore more, stay longer, and spend more during their time here in Malaysia.
'Our members are ready to work hand-in-hand with the government and private sector to ensure VM2026 is not just a tourism campaign but a defining moment for Malaysia's tourism landscape.
'Together, we can make Malaysia the preferred family holiday destination in South-East Asia,' he added.
Recognising the powerful appeal of theme parks and edutainment centres to both local and international visitors, Matfa is calling on the government and tourism stakeholders to extend stronger support to the industry as a key pillar in Malaysia's national tourism strategy.
To strengthen its role in the nation's tourism agenda, Matfa is seeking strategic collaboration with the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry, Tourism Malaysia, and relevant state governments.
Among the key proposals are to include the association in the VM2026 promotional campaign and global marketing campaigns.
Matfa is also seeking the government's help in getting a tax incentive for their members to improve guest experience, boost affordability, and encourage reinvestment in attractions.
Matfa is currently lending its support to the ongoing Malaysia Mega Sale 2025 campaign, aligning with the national efforts to boost domestic and inbound tourism.
The association believes that with the right backing, the theme park and family attractions sector could become a significant driver of tourist spending, job creation, and long-term tourism growth — especially vital in the post-pandemic recovery landscape.
With increasing competition from regional countries, Matfa believes that a focused, united push on family-oriented attractions can set Malaysia apart from the others — offering not just a vacation, but a collection of unforgettable memories for visitors of all ages.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sinar Daily
6 hours ago
- Sinar Daily
Spritzer launches 'Air Love Cuti-Cuti: Jom Healing' wellness travel campaign ahead of Visit Malaysia 2026
SHAH ALAM - Natural mineral water brand Spritzer has officially introduced its nationwide campaign, "Air Love Cuti-Cuti: Jom Healing" in support of the upcoming Visit Malaysia 2026 initiative. Tourism, Arts and Culture Deputy Minister Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan - Photo: SPRITZER The campaign was launched at an event held at C Space, Pasar Seni, Kuala Lumpur and officiated by Tourism, Arts and Culture Deputy Ministe Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan. At the heart of the campaign lies the theme of "healing", encouraging Malaysians to reconnect with nature, rediscover cultural heritage and embrace more balanced, healthier lifestyles through local travel. Running from June to July 2025, the initiative will encompass a six-episode original travel variety series, an interactive art installation, digital activations on social media and an integrated content marketing push, all aimed at igniting a nationwide movement centred on wellness travel and sustainable exploration. The 'Air Love Cuti-Cuti: Jom Healing' campaign was officiated by Tourism, Arts and Culture Deputy Minister, Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan at a media event held at C Space, Pasar Seni in Kuala Lumpur. - Photo: SPRITZER Spritzer's campaign reaffirms its position as the hydration companion of choice for mindful domestic travellers, owing to its naturally nourishing mineral content and longstanding commitment to environmental sustainability. The heart of healing, reconnecting with nature, culture and self The "Jom Healing" concept taps into a growing sentiment among Malaysia's younger generation. For many, "healing" signifies taking brief but meaningful getaways to find emotional balance and escape the pressures of daily life. Spritzer seeks to champion this lifestyle shift, promoting the benefits of nature-focused escapes while offering revitalisation through its natural mineral water. The brand's message also extends to environmental consciousness, inviting travellers to appreciate Malaysia's natural beauty in a responsible, sustainable way. Spritzer champions "Jom Healing", encouraging travelers to reconnect with nature and staying refreshed and revitalised with Spritzer natural mineral water. - Photo: SPRITZER Through engaging content and social storytelling, the campaign hopes to inspire deeper appreciation of Malaysia's ecosystems, cultural diversity and heritage. It calls on the public to take a more thoughtful approach to travel, by recycling, preserving nature and protecting the country's beauty for future generations. Fostering meaningful bonds through nature, culture and conscious travel Beyond hydration, Air Love Cuti-Cuti: Jom Healing seeks to forge stronger emotional connections between Malaysians and their homeland. It also aims to deepen engagement with nature and culture while reinforcing Spritzer's role as the go-to brand for every travel moment. The campaign spans both physical and digital spaces, incorporating an immersive travel series, social media participation and a thought-provoking art installation to invite Malaysians to share their own journeys of healing and discovery. Inspiring a new generation of conscious travellers With a strong focus on Malaysians aged 20 to 40, the campaign appeals to a generation that values meaningful experiences, whether through nature retreats, heritage events, or local cuisine. These are travellers who see exploration as a form of emotional restoration. The campaign also highlights environmental consciousness, urging travelers to explore Malaysia in a sustainable and responsible way. - Photo by Spritzer's management At the same time, Spritzer is also engaging international free-and-easy tourists who prioritise sustainability and authentic cultural immersion. In aligning with modern travel values, the brand builds on its warm, relatable image ahead of Visit Malaysia 2026. One of the campaign's main highlights is its original travel show, Air Love Cuti-Cuti: Jom Healing, a unique web series that showcases Malaysia's hidden natural and cultural treasures. Discovering hidden gems: A travel show that heals Featuring familiar personalities such as Adriana Adnan and Sean Lee, along with travel influencers Fakhrul Aizat, Dee Alimin and Jaslin Puasa, the series follows their journeys through Malaysia's scenic landscapes, from waterfalls and caves to heritage towns and local eateries. The series isn't just about sightseeing; it's about meaningful self-discovery. It captures tranquil moments at waterfalls like Air Terjun Kimorugi, mystical experiences inside Gua Lembah Lenggong and authentic cultural interactions through batik workshops, fishing net weaving and otak-otak making. This initiative reinforces Spritzer's position as the preferred hydration companion for mindful local travel, thanks to its naturally nourishing natural minerals content. - Photo by Spritzer's management These therapeutic experiences, including hikes through Sungai Lembing and island-hopping in Pulau Mantanani, reflect a new kind of travel, one that heals. The series will air exclusively on Viu from June 27 to July 14, with new episodes released every Monday and Friday. Tarian Bayang, reimagining plastic through art and culture Complementing the series is an evocative art installation entitled Tarian Bayang (Shadow Dance), which transforms our understanding of plastic waste through artistic expression. Constructed from hundreds of upcycled plastic bottles, the installation casts patterned shadows onto the ground, resembling batik or lacework as sunlight passes through. Blending traditional motifs with modern sustainability, it stands as both a tribute to heritage and a stark reminder of the lasting environmental impact of human consumption. Created in collaboration with artists Oscar Lee and Celine Tan from Co2_Karbondioksida, the installation will be on display at the entrance of Central Market from June 23 to July 22, 2025. Hydration with purpose Spritzer is also spotlighting two of its flagship products throughout the campaign. Its Natural Mineral Water, drawn from a 430-acre protected rainforest and naturally filtered over 15 years, is rich in minerals, particularly silica, which supports healthy skin and bones. This product is Standard and Industrial Research Institute of Malaysia (Sirim)-certified and microplastic-free. Meanwhile, its Sparkling Natural Mineral Water offers a sugar-free, calorie-free refreshment with a light fizz, perfect for Malaysia's tropical climate. Both are packaged using recycled and fully recyclable materials, highlighting the brand's dedication to sustainability and its long-term Circular Brand vision for 2030. Centred around the concept of "healing," the campaign invites Malaysians to reconnect with nature, explore cultural heritage, and embrace a more balance, healthier lifestyles through local travel. - Photo: SPRITZER Since the inception of its "Air Love Cuti-Cuti" branding in 2024, a playful wordplay combining "air" (water in Malay) and the love for travel, Spritzer has sought to embody the spirit of self-care, natural exploration and wanderlust. More than a slogan, the phrase reflects the brand's deep-rooted connection with Malaysia's travel culture. Looking ahead, Spritzer plans to expand on themes of healing and exploration through future collaborations and content, reaffirming its role as Malaysia's most heartfelt travel companion.
The Star
10 hours ago
- The Star
Lad & Dad Fish & Chips will leave you well-fed and glad
At 11.30am on a Friday, Lad & Dad in Kuala Lumpur is relatively quiet. One or two tables are occupied but nothing to raise blood pressure levels and certainly nothing that portends the flood of humans that will soon arrive. Because by noon, the restaurant is out-of-control packed – each table absolutely heaving and swollen to capacity. Outside, a long, snaking queue has formed and eager would-be diners can be seen craning their necks in the hope of getting a table soon-ish. It's quite mad really. Who would have thought a fish and chips restaurant would have such a strong pull? Well, owner Keith Koh did. Which isn't all that surprising once you realise that Koh is a veteran in the business of proving his dissenters wrong. 'More than 10 years ago, I was in Britain studying and I worked in hospitality. In the final year of my degree course, I decided I wanted to start an F&B business. But with the little savings that I had, I could only afford a hawker stall in Singapore. 'I had a big argument with my dad and I eventually convinced him to give me two years to get the business going. So I registered a company together with him so that he could see the books and basically get a sense of assurance – hence the name, Lad & Dad,' says Koh. Koh (left) started Lad & Dad with his father Desmond Koh who now helps him manage the eatery in Singapore. He first ran a food stall in one of Singapore's ubiquitous food courts, serving up old-school English fare like Yorkshire puddings, mashed potatoes and lamb stew. He says the decision to serve these was driven by a desire to be different. 'The whole idea wasn't just for me to be in F&B, but to introduce a whole dining experience. "English food has never been top of the list when it comes to international cuisine – it's always Italian or Spanish or something else. So I felt that the market for English food was still raw back then,' explains Koh, adding that he also wanted his food to be affordable. The eatery is perpetually packed and often boasts long, teeming queues during lunch hour. Interestingly, for the first year, fish and chips wasn't even on the menu as it took Koh that entire year to figure out how to make the best possible version of it. He received valuable feedback from his parents. 'When I first developed my recipe in Britain in the dorms, my local housemates were my focus group and they really liked my recipe. 'But when I brought it back for my mum and dad to try, they were like 'There's no way this would fly in this part of the world'. They told me outright that there wasn't enough flavour or depth to it. 'I thought I had the perfect recipe, but then I spent a year trying to get it right. In the end, I think it was a good thing we waited that long because when we finally got the right one, it took off immediately,' he says. So why open in Malaysia? Koh says an opportunity presented itself last year and he opened in Wisma Cosway in KL to great reception and serpentine queues. Unfortunately, things fell apart and he ended up having to close shop. But demand from fans in Malaysia proved overwhelming so this year, he decided to reopen Lad & Dad at another lot in the same building. The secret to the restaurant's success is in its fish batter, which is made using a wide range of herbs and spices. — Photos: Lad & Dad KL The location choice is a little perplexing as most new restaurants typically launch in more salubrious neighbourhoods or upscale malls. Yet, Koh says the bare-bones building that the eatery is housed in really resonates with the brand's unassuming roots. 'The malls have been knocking on our doors, but rental at these malls is like RM50,000 to RM60,000. And we are still only a small family business. 'We felt that to come full circle in our 10-year anniversary, we wanted to pay homage to our hawker stall roots and continue to make our fish and chips affordable. No way can we sell it at our current prices if we were paying RM50,000 in rent. 'Which means fewer people will be able to eat it and that defeats the purpose again,' says Koh. At Lad & Dad here, fish and chips reigns supreme. There are only two fish options – Norwegian haddock or perch sourced from the region. On the chips front, you can opt to have thick-cut or the more popular thin-cut fries. Served alongside this are a selection of sauces like classic tartar sauce, mushy peas, malt vinegar, curry sauce and the KL-exclusive sambal aioli. Each order of fish and chips comes with a choice of two sauce accompaniments. The perch is sourced regionally and has a crackly outer skin that yields to incredibly flaky flesh within. Start with the Classic Perch Fish & Chips (RM29.90). The batter that took Koh over a year to perfect is made up of a range of proprietary herbs and spices like salt, pepper, rosemary, thyme, paprika and other ingredients that cannot be disclosed. But trust me when I say that all the hard work was oh-so worth it. Because this is a fish that has been battered and fried to absolute perfection and retains a crispy, crackly carapace that is an absolute auditory and sensory delight. The batter itself is laced with a multi-dimensional flavour profile – there is a herbaceous underlay and a touch of spice gilding its core structure and this is what gives it an edge over conventional fish and chips. Each mouthful delivers a power-packed textural odyssey – first landing on a brittle crunch that then segues into sweet, tender flesh within. If you're opting for the thin-cut fries to accompany your fish, you'll marvel at how each long spud baton is crisp on the outside yet succumbs willingly to starchy innards that are insanely addictive. From the sauce selection, the classic tartar sauce delivers a creamy yet lightly acerbic counterpoint to the fried fish while the sambal aioli hits all those spicy high notes and then some. Opt for the Norwegian haddock with thin cut fries if you want to indulge in a crispy, crunchy, flaky, voluptuous slice of fish. If you're opting to indulge, then sample the Premium Haddock Fish & Chips (RM51.90). The haddock is extraordinarily good – a fat, voluptuous slice of fish with flaky, voluminous flesh that is the gift that keeps on giving. Pair this with the thick-cut fries and enjoy the sumptuous, hedonistic journey to nirvana. Wash down all this goodness with the House Made Lemonade (RM9.90) which is made with freshly squeezed lemons and is a potent citrus siren designed to sluice through the richness of the fish and chips with lethal efficiency. Moving forward, Koh says there are already plans afoot for expansion in the Klang Valley and beyond. 'Expansion is definitely in the works. But we want to take it slow. We want to make sure we find the right group of people to work with,' he concludes. Address: Lot G-30, Ground Floor, Wisma Cosway, 88 Jalan Raja Chulan, 50450 Kuala Lumpur Open: Mondays to Saturdays, 11.30am to 2.30pm; 5pm to 8pm
Daily Express
11 hours ago
- Daily Express
Sabah, Kazakhstan explore tourism, investment ties
Published on: Friday, July 04, 2025 Published on: Fri, Jul 04, 2025 Text Size: Nordin (second right) during the recent visit to Kazakhstan. ASTANA: Kazakhstan has expressed interest in boosting tourism ties with Sabah, aiming to attract more Kazakh visitors to Kota Kinabalu and Semporna in the near future. Asean Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) Sabah Chapter President Datuk Nordin Ening said the country is also offering unique winter holiday experiences in return, including snow jet-skiing, cable cars, and winter tourism packages. Advertisement Speaking after a recent three-day working visit to Kazakhstan, Nordin noted that existing direct flights between Almaty and Kuala Lumpur are supporting this potential, with AirAsia expected to increase frequency to five weekly flights. He added that Kazakhstan is also inviting Malaysian investors to explore joint ventures in key projects such as conveyor belt manufacturing, mineral waste processing, oil fields, and electric vehicle (EV) production involving Proton. Nordin said Kazakhstan has shown interest in developing Islamic banking, fintech, and student exchange programmes with Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), and called on Sabah agencies and industry players to pursue these opportunities strategically. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
