Kota Kinabalu: Nearly 1,000 domestic and international visitors were welcomed at Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA) on Saturday as part of a special Kaamatan Festival reception organised by Tourism Malaysia.
The programme was held in conjunction with the Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) campaign and aimed at introducing Sabah’s cultural heritage to tourists arriving during the festive season.
Tourism Malaysia Director-General Mohd Amirul Rizal Abdul Rahim said about 930 visitors were expected to be received through the initiative.
He said the programme was being held simultaneously at KKIA and would continue at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), where Kaamatan and Gawai celebrations would also be showcased.
A similar welcome event is scheduled to take place at Kuching International Airport on June 1 in conjunction with the Gawai Festival.
Mohd Amirul said many tourists were drawn to Malaysia’s cultural diversity, with some travelling specifically to experience Kaamatan celebrations and learn more about Sabah’s traditions.
“One visitor from India came specifically to see Sabah’s culture and will be attending the Kaamatan celebrations at KDCA,” he said.
He said Tourism Malaysia had consistently used major cultural celebrations such as Kaamatan, Gawai, Hari Raya Aidilfitri and Chinese New Year as platforms to promote the country’s multicultural identity to international visitors.
Mohd Amirul said the airport reception programme, organised in collaboration with the Sabah Tourism Board, airport authorities and other stakeholders, had proven effective in creating awareness among visitors and enhancing their overall travel experience.
He added that strong tourist arrivals during the Kaamatan period had also contributed positively to the State’s tourism industry, with accommodation providers reporting high occupancy rates.
