Industry Players Clarify Their Role In Global Travel Meet Gala Dinner Hosting, Funding

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 6 (Bernama) -- Industry players have issued a joint statement to clarify their role in hosting and funding the Global Travel Meet Gala Dinner, in response to recent misleading statements surrounding the event.

Malaysian Indian Travel & Tours Association (MITTA), the Malaysian Inbound Chinese Association (MICA) and the Malaysia My 2nd Home Consultants Association (MM2HCA) in a joint statement today said the event was undertaken and paid for by the tourism industry players and not by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) or Tourism Malaysia. 

“MOTAC together with Tourism Malaysia used the Global Travel Meet event to launch the Visit Malaysia 2026 Calendar of Events.

“The Global Travel Meet was a first of its kind in Malaysia and was a resounding success generating over RM420 million in economic impact bringing together over 600 international buyers and over 100 international media,” it said.

According to the statement, the associations also expressed their understanding of the controversy surrounding the Gala Dinner and offered their sincere regrets to MOTAC and Tourism Malaysia, particularly to the Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing. 

It said the statement issued by MITTA, MICA and MM2HCA to stop all forms of irresponsible and misleading statements being disseminated regarding this matter.

Yesterday, Tiong has clarified that Tourism Malaysia was not responsible for serving alcohol at a recent Gala Dinner held during the Global Travel Meet on Oct 1.

Tiong said the catering was organised by the private sector and not part of Tourism Malaysia’s official programme, adding that the agency’s role was limited to launching the Visit Malaysia 2026 events calendar at the same venue.

-- BERNAMA