Govt to review VM2026 strategy amid Middle East crisis

2026-03-11 - 15:14

Tourism, arts and culture minister Tiong King Sing said his ministry will explore alternative promotional strategies to offset the potential impact of the West Asia conflict in the region. (Bernama pic) BUKIT MERTAJAM: The tourism, arts and culture ministry will meet tomorrow to review its strategies to ensure the Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) campaign remains on track following rising tensions in West Asia. Its minister, Tiong King Sing, said the situation could affect the country’s tourism promotion efforts, particularly involving markets in the region. “We expect some impact, but the ministry will hold a meeting tomorrow to review the situation and formulate new strategies for the promotion campaign. “Let us discuss it first within the ministry. I will announce the outcome afterwards,” he told reporters after attending an iftar event in conjunction with VM2026 at Mengkuang Titi Homestay here today. Tiong said the meeting would explore alternative promotional strategies to offset the potential impact of the conflict in the region. Tensions in West Asia have escalated since Feb 28 after Israel and the US struck Iran, which responded with retaliatory strikes against US interests in Gulf countries.