Star Karnival Cuti-Cuti Malaysia 2026, Three Days of Travel Promotions, Family Entertainment and Exciting Prizes

KOTA KINABALU:  Tourism Malaysia and Star Media Group Berhad (SMG) continue their efforts to bring the Star Karnival Cuti-Cuti Malaysia (SKCCM) 2026 to Sabah, which will take place from 14 to 16 August 2026 at Imago Shopping Mall, Kota Kinabalu.  

The three-day carnival will showcase a wide range of tourism products, attractive travel promotions, and engaging activities, offering Malaysians greater opportunities to explore and experience the diverse destinations and attractions across the country. Visitors can look forward to exclusive holiday packages, travel deals, stage performances, interactive activities, and exciting prize draws featuring various travel-related rewards.  

Held under the theme “Explore, Experience, Excite”, SKCCM 2026 aims to inspire Malaysians to discover domestic destinations while supporting the growth of local tourism businesses. The six-state carnival tour covering Pahang, Johor, Sabah, Penang, Selangor, and Sarawak is expected to attract more than 200,000 visitors, generate over RM1 million in sales, and provide a valuable platform for tourism industry players to engage directly with consumers.  

The Sabah edition marks the third destination stop of SKCCM 2026, following its successful launch at Menara Star, Petaling Jaya, on 24 June 2026. The initiative forms part of ongoing efforts to strengthen domestic tourism participation and align with the objectives of the Visit Malaysia 2026–2027 campaign.  

Commenting on the Sabah edition of SKCCM 2026, Datuk Chan Foong Hin, Deputy Minister of Plantation and Commodities, said, “Sabah continues to be one of Malaysia’s most distinctive tourism destinations, offering exceptional natural landscapes, rich biodiversity, cultural heritage, and diverse travel experiences.  

Through initiatives such as Star Karnival Cuti-Cuti Malaysia 2026, Tourism Malaysia aims to inspire more Malaysians to explore destinations within our own country. The carnival also serves as a platform to promote domestic travel, including interstate and intra-state journeys, while enabling tourism industry players to showcase their offerings and engage with consumers. Tourism Malaysia remains committed to strengthening domestic tourism in support of Visit Malaysia 2026–2027.”  

The Sabah edition will feature participation from various tourism and lifestyle partners, including travel agencies, accommodation providers, attractions, and experience operators from across Malaysia. Among the exhibitors are adventure and attraction providers such as Aquaria KLCC and KL Hop-On Hop-Off, hospitality brands including Lotus Desaru Beach Resort, Raia Hotels, and Dairy Farm Kundasang, as well as local tourism and cultural offerings featuring culinary products such as Nasi Dagang Atas Tol and traditional batik arts.  

Visitors will have the opportunity to explore holiday packages, discover new destinations, experience local flavours, and engage with tourism industry players under one roof. The carnival will also feature interactive activities, stage performances, and prize draws offering attractive travel prizes, including deals on Batik Air domestic flights, shopping vouchers, and tourism packages.  

According to the Sabah Tourism Board (STB), Sabah recorded 2.3 million domestic visitor arrivals in 2025, reflecting the state's ongoing appeal among Malaysian travellers. This positive trend aligns with the state’s preparations for Visit Malaysia 2026–2027 and Visit Sabah 2027, further emphasising Sabah’s role in strengthening Malaysia’s domestic tourism landscape.  

The SKCCM 2026 series will continue its nationwide journey with the next event scheduled in Penang in September 2026. The initiative will continue to support domestic tourism by increasing visibility for local tourism products, fostering industry engagement, and inspiring Malaysians to explore the country’s diverse attractions and experiences.