KUALA LUMPUR, 10 September 2026: Marriott International is working with Malaysia’s convention bureaus to present the country as a connected, multi-destination proposition for regional planners.
The company has launched Destination Convention Malaysia in collaboration with the Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB), Business Events Sarawak (BESarawak) and Sabah Convention Bureau.
The new platform brings together Malaysia’s convention infrastructure, hospitality capabilities and destination experiences, giving organisers a broader view of what the country can offer across different locations and event formats.
Rather than focusing on a single city or venue, the initiative pairs Kuala Lumpur’s international connectivity and established convention infrastructure with the cultural, natural and incentive experiences available across Sarawak, Sabah and other destinations in Malaysia.
More choice within a single market
Destination Convention Malaysia makes it easier for regional organisers to identify locations and experiences suited to different event objectives and delegate profiles.
Malaysia’s offering spans major urban convention centres, resort and leisure destinations, nature-based experiences and locations with distinctive cultural identities. This gives planners the flexibility to host large-scale conventions, corporate meetings, incentive programmes and experience-led events within one national market.
“Regional planners increasingly want destinations that can provide strong infrastructure while also giving delegates a meaningful experience outside the formal programme,” said Marriott International Market Vice President Malaysia George Varughese. “Malaysia can offer both. It combines international connectivity and established convention capabilities with an extraordinary variety of cultures, landscapes and experiences. Through Destination Convention Malaysia, we want to make that full proposition more visible and accessible to planners across Asia-Pacific.”
The initiative was unveiled during Malaysia Means Business, an industry forum convened by Marriott International at the St Regis Kuala Lumpur. The event brought together leaders from the country’s business events, destination and hospitality sectors to examine how Malaysia could capture a greater share of the regional meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions market.
A panel discussion featuring senior representatives from Marriott International, MyCEB, BESarawak and Sabah Convention Bureau explored how Malaysia could capture a greater share of the Asia-Pacific MICE market.
Panellists explored how organiser and delegate expectations are changing. Personalised programmes, wellness, sustainability, technology and experiences connected to the host destination are playing a greater role in event planning, alongside practical considerations such as accessibility, accommodation and venue capacity.
“Malaysia’s strong business events pipeline reflects the confidence organisers have in our capabilities, and our opportunity now is to build even greater awareness of the diversity we can offer across the country,” said MyCEB Chief Executive Officer Tan Mei Phing.
“By bringing destinations together through Destination Convention Malaysia, we can showcase the collective strength of Malaysia’s business events ecosystem and present an even more compelling proposition to regional and international organisers.”
Marriott International currently operates 65 hotels across Malaysia, giving regional planners access to accommodation and event facilities across key business and leisure destinations. Its portfolio provides access to major convention and event facilities including Marriott Putrajaya International Convention Centre, Renaissance Kuala Lumpur Hotel & Convention Centre, Courtyard by Marriott Kuala Lumpur South, Desaru Coast Conference Centre and Langkawi International Convention Centre.
(Source: Marriott International)
