Among measures adopted by the authorities to facilitate the travel of non-Malaysian nationals to the country are the abolishing quarantine requirements for vaccinated travellers, with only a pre-departure test and a test within 24-hours of arriving in the country, reports the Chinese news agency.
There is already optimism that the move into the endemic phase will see economic recovery, especially for the country’s hard-hit tourist sector which has been largely closed off.
The Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Nancy Shukri said that there are over 10,000 foreign travellers and Malaysians residing abroad were expected to arrive at airports nationwide on Friday and the Ministry is targeting over 2 million tourist arrivals within the year.
Malaysia attracted 4.3 million tourists in 2020 because of lockdowns following the pandemic, a sharp decline from the 26.1 million in 2019.
Transport Minister Wee Ka Siong noted that the influx of travellers moving across the bridge connecting Malaysia and Singapore, allowing families to reunite ahead of Ramadan, the Islamic fasting month, and Qingming, a traditional tomb-sweeping festival.
Enjoying in Malaysia
Qingming Festival
Qingming Festival, which is also known as Tomb Sweeping Day or, literally, ‘Pure Brightness’ Festival in English, is a traditional Chinese festival and an important day for most people (including the Han Chinese and some of China’s 55 other ethnic minorities) to go and sweep tombs and commemorate their ancestors. On this day, tomb sweeping is one of the most important and popular activities to show respect to ancestors.
Malaysia Water Festival
Water Festival is one of the most enjoyable cultural festivals in Malaysia celebrated in the gap year where people from different ages and walks of life gather to heartily throw water on each other. The festival commences in Kuantan and ends in Labuan. Lot of activities involve an international fishing tournament, kayaking challenge, sandcastle building, and much more.
Penang International Food Festival
Penang’s delicious food is so renowned that the island dedicated a whole festival to its proud culinary heritage. Humble street food or fine dining, traditional or fusion, the Penang International Food Festival brings it all together in a kaleidoscope of tastes, textures and flavours.
Hari Gawai
The World Harvest Festival is held alongside Gawai, a festive celebration of the Dayaks. The one thing you should not miss during this time is the theme play, which transforms the whole Sarawak Cultural Village – from the ethnic houses, lake and trees – into a stage. Every year, the acclaimed play takes on a different ethnic theme.
For those with a heart of steel, there is the Ironman competition, which is open to all men aged 18 and above. Meanwhile, graceful beauties can compete in the ethnic beauty pageant, which is now open to all single ladies of any ethnic background and nationality. It’s the perfect opportunity to experience the traditional culture, art and music of the Dayak community.
Tadau Ka’amatan Harvest Festival
This native festival of Kadazan-Dusun, Sabah’s largest ethnic group is essentially a celebration to thank the holy spirits for a bountiful harvest making it to the list of famous festivals in Malaysia. Padi farmers congregate to honour ‘Bambaazon’, the spirit of rice padi through traditional rites and customs followed by festivities. The headquarters of Kadazan Dusun Cultural Organisation hold ethnic dance performances as well as display of traditional sports like arm-wrestling, blowpipe shooting etc.
Wesak day
Wesak day is a popular festival in Malaysia. Like in all Buddhist countries, Wesak festival celebration in Malaysia gives you a chance to witness this important event marking the three major milestones in Budhha’s life – his birth, enlightenment and nirvana. Buddhists across the country observe fasting to cleanse themselves and also spend time meditating at the temples all day.
Sarawak Gawai Festival
Celebrated by the indigenous Dayak’s race of Swarawak, Malaysia’s largest state, this Malaysia festival is one of the most important harvest festivals in Malaysia that begins on 1st June and goes on for a whole month.
