As Malaysia sharpens its focus ahead of Visit Malaysia 2026, the way the country tells its story to the world is evolving – and technology is now firmly part of that narrative.
Tourism Malaysia and Vivo have formalised a strategic collaboration through the signing of a Memorandum of Collaboration (MoC), marking a partnership that blends destination marketing with mobile imaging innovation.
At its core, the collaboration reflects a shared understanding of how modern travellers discover places today -through visuals, stories and digital-first experiences that feel authentic, immersive and personal.
By combining Tourism Malaysia’s destination expertise with Vivo’s advanced mobile photography technology, the partnership aims to elevate Malaysia’s global tourism appeal through high-quality, visually driven content.
Deputy Director-General (Promotion II) of Tourism Malaysia, Samuel Lee said the collaboration underscores the importance of public–private partnerships in achieving national tourism ambitions.
“Together with Vivo, we aim to combine cutting-edge technology with Malaysia’s rich cultural and natural attractions to showcase the very best of the country and inspire more people to visit during VM2026,” he said.
From Vivo’s perspective, the partnership is about using innovation to bring people closer to real experiences.
Vivo Malaysia Chief Executive Officer, Mike Xu said the brand is committed to helping more people discover Malaysia’s beauty by amplifying the country’s stories through technology that places creativity in the hands of users.
For Locco, this partnership signals a clear shift in tourism promotion where storytelling is no longer confined to traditional campaigns, but driven by imagery that travels seamlessly across platforms, borders and cultures.
With joint initiatives including collaborative content creation, co-branded campaigns and coordinated promotional activities, the Tourism Malaysia-Vivo collaboration is designed to strengthen Malaysia’s presence in key international markets.
Vivo’s extensive global communication network, particularly across China, India and Southeast Asia, is expected to play a pivotal role in extending the reach of the VM2026 message.
Leveraging Vivo’s strong reputation in mobile photography, the collaboration seeks to inspire travellers through compelling visuals that capture Malaysia’s natural landscapes, cultural heritage and modern attractions — all through a lens that feels accessible and real.
The timing is equally significant. Malaysia’s tourism momentum continues to build, with 28.2 million international visitor arrivals recorded between January and August 2025 – a 14.5 per cent increase compared with the same period in 2024.
As part of VM2026 preparations, Tourism Malaysia will welcome international visitors simultaneously at 52 entry points nationwide on Jan 1, 2026 – a symbolic moment signalling Malaysia’s readiness to welcome the world.
As VM2026 draws closer, partnerships like this are shaping how Malaysia is seen, shared and remembered – one image, one story and one screen at a time./LOCCO
