Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) is targeting 30 million inbound tourists to the city during Visit Malaysia 2026.

Kuala Lumpur mayor Datuk Seri Maimunah Mohd Sharif said DBKL had lined up 35 major events to showcase Malaysia’s arts, culture and heritage. “A lot of people visit other states like Sabah, Sarawak and Penang. “If we reach more than half of the targeted 46 million tourists nationwide, it would be great.”

She said DBKL had launched next year’s event calendar early to allow tourists to preview events that would take place throughout the year.

“This demonstrates DBKL’s commitment, alongside the Tourism Ministry, Tourism Malaysia, the private sector and the community, to strengthen Kuala Lumpur as a tourism hub. “This aligns with the 4P concept — public-­­­­­­private-people partnership.

“We are also taking momentum from the recent Asean Summit, where the heads of state from Asean countries and beyond came to Malaysia and gathered in Kuala Lumpur,” she said during the press conference for the launch of the DBKL Calendar of Events 2026 at the Mayor’s Courtyard, Jalan Tangsi.

Maimunah said a highlight would be the Kuala Lumpur Orchestra Festival, which would be held at Auditorium Bandaraya, from May 30 to June 6. “We see the event drawing participants from various countries.

“We can also expect the inauguration of the Bangunan Sultan Abdul Samad’s preservation in January, as well as the I Lite U @ Bukit Bintang Initiative to light up the city,” she said.

Ambassador of Hungary to Malaysia Dr Sandor Sipos, Tourism Malaysia deputy director-general Datin Rafidah Idris, DBKL executive director (Socio-­economic Development) Ismadi Sakirin and executive director (Management) Nor Azlina Mohd Saad were at the launch.

Published in Dawn, November 3rd, 2025