By: Nurul Fazliana Norman
KOTA KINABALU: Aug 15, 2026 – The Star Karnival Cuti-Cuti Malaysia (SKCCM) 2026, currently being held at Imago Shopping Mall in Kota Kinabalu from August 14 to 16, serves as a platform to promote local tourism products and packages, while encouraging Malaysians to explore domestic destinations.
Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Datuk Chan Foong Hin, said that the SKCCM event in Sabah is the third stop of a six-series roadshow, which also provides an avenue for tourism industry players to interact directly with consumers.
He noted that the two previous locations in Kuantan and Johor recorded total sales of RM1.27 million, boosting confidence in the overall target for SKCCM 2026.
He said that 40 participants, comprising hotels, resorts, homestays, travel agencies, tourist attractions, and the food and beverage sector, are taking part in the carnival.
“Tourism is a unique industry because its success depends on the support of various other sectors, including agriculture, food, infrastructure and the community,” he told the media after officiating SKCCM 2026 at Imago Shopping Mall today.
According to Chan, Malaysia’s domestic tourism volume rose by 7.2 percent to 74.7 million people in the first quarter of 2026, compared to 69.7 million in the same period last year.
Over the same period, domestic tourism expenditure also increased by 15.8 percent to RM34 billion.
He said Sabah recorded 2.3 million domestic visitor arrivals in 2025, reflecting the state’s potential as one of the top preferred destinations for domestic tourism.
SKCCM 2026, themed “Exploration, Experience, Excitement,” will continue its roadshow series to Penang, Selangor and Sarawak after Sabah.
Chan also encouraged Malaysians to explore domestic destinations, while inviting people from other states to make Sabah their preferred holiday destination.
