Famtrip Malaysia 2026: A Journey Through Penang, Perlis, and Langkawi

RRI.CO.ID, Penang - Tourism Malaysia, in collaboration with TransNusa airline, introduced the tourism potential of Penang, Perlis, and Langkawi to several Key Opinion Leaders (KOL) and Indonesian journalists, including RRI Voice of Indonesia, through the "Famtrip Malaysia 2026" event. This activity aims to expand the Indonesian tourist market by introducing various destinations and travel experiences in Malaysia.

Several Indonesian KOLs and journalists participated in the "Famtrip Malaysia 2026" organized by Tourism Malaysia in collaboration with TransNusa to explore tourist destinations in Penang, Perlis, and Langkawi. Taking place over four days and three nites from August 18-21, 2026, this event provides participants with the opportunity to get to know more closely the various destinations, cultures, and travel experiences offered by these three regions.

The Director of Tourism Malaysia Jakarta, Hairi Mohd Yakzan, stated that the activity is part of efforts to strengthen Malaysia's promotion in the Indonesian market through an experiential and content-driven marketing approach. "Entering the third year of collaboration with TransNusa, we continue to see great potential in the Indonesian market for Malaysia," he said.

According to him, the firsthand experiences shared by KOLs and journalists are expected to encourage more Indonesian tourists to get to know and explore Malaysia. "Through this Famtrip, we want to show that Malaysia is not only easily accessible, but also offers a diverse range of experiences in a short trip," he said.

During those four days, participants gained firsthand experience of various tourist products offered by Malaysia, ranging from cultural heritage and cuisine in Penang to nature tourism in Langkawi. The group began their journey with a TransNusa flight on the Jakarta–Penang route, which lasted about three hours, with free checked baggage up to 20 kilograms and cabin baggage of 7 kilograms.

CEO of TransNusa Group, Bernard Francis, stated that connectivity is an important part of the travel experience for tourists, so the collaboration with Tourism Malaysia is expected to demonstrate that travel from Indonesia to Malaysia can be done easily, comfortably, and enjoyably. This was also felt by the participants through the series of trips prepared during the "Famtrip Malaysia 2026" event, from flight access to the experience of exploring various tourist destinations in Malaysia.

Upon arriving in Penang, participants explored the George Town area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and tasted the iconic Hameed Pata Mee Sotong at Astaka Kota Selera. The itinerary also includes a stroll down Harmony Street, which showcases four places of worship from four different faiths standing side by side: Kapitan Keling Mosque, Kwan Im Temple, Sri Mahamariamman Temple, and St. George's Church.

The journey then continued to Perlis, the smallest state in Malaysia. In this region, participants visited Kangar Street Art, adorned with murals featuring various themes, ranging from local culture and history to modern social issues and abstract art, as well as Kampung Warna Warni Kuala Perlis to get a closer look at the local tourist attractions.

From Kuala Perlis, the group continued their journey to Langkawi by ferry. In Langkawi, participants enjoyed the Premium Sunset Cruise, Langkawi SkyCab, and island hopping using a jet car. The diversity of these experiences is expected to strengthen Langkawi's image as a destination that combines nature tourism, adventure, and gastronomy.

The Senior Assistant Manager of the Langkawi Tourism Division, Nur Fairuz Shahirah AB Jelani, hopes that the "Famtrip Malaysia 2026" event can strengthen tourism relations and cooperation between Indonesia and Malaysia. According to her, this cooperation can also support the strengthening of connectivity within the framework of the Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT).

From the series of trips, Penang, Perlis, and Langkawi show diverse tourism potential, ranging from cultural and culinary richness to natural beauty and local tourism experiences. The direct introduction of destinations is also expected to encourage Indonesian tourists to explore more regions in Malaysia.

On the other hand, the increase in tourist visits is expected to provide broader economic benefits for both countries through the accommodation, transportation, culinary, tour guide, local product sectors, as well as various other tourism support services.

Note: This article is written based on the author's firsthand experience as a participant in the Famtrip Malaysia 2026 program organized by Tourism Malaysia in collaboration with TransNusa.