KUALA LUMPUR, 18 July 2026 — The
Malaysia Budget & Business Hotel Association (MyBHA®) has successfully
concluded its Trade Mission to Bangkok, Thailand, held from 14th to 17th July
2026, marking another significant step in the Association’s efforts to
strengthen Malaysia’s international tourism and hospitality cooperation, expand
cross-border business opportunities and build strategic relationships with key
regional and global industry stakeholders. 

The
mission brought together a series of strategic engagements encompassing the
signing of three Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) during the VMY2026 Seminar
& Networking Session Bangkok hosted by Tourism Malaysia Bangkok,
participation in an international Halal trade exhibition as Hosted Buyers,
tourism industry exposure activities, and courtesy visits to the headquarters
of Agoda and the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA).

 

The
mission formed part of MyBHA®’s broader commitment to positioning its members
within the regional tourism and business ecosystem while supporting the
objectives of Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) and promoting Malaysia as a
competitive and preferred tourism destination.

 

MyBHA®
National President, Dr Sri Ganesh Michiel, said the successful conclusion of
the mission demonstrated the importance of direct international engagement in
creating meaningful opportunities for Malaysia’s tourism and hospitality
industry.

 

“This
Trade Mission was not merely about visiting Bangkok. It was about building
bridges, establishing strategic partnerships, understanding regional tourism developments
and opening new doors for our members and Malaysia’s tourism industry.

  

“Tourism
today is interconnected. Hotels, travel agencies, technology platforms,
wellness providers, trade organisations and international tourism bodies must
work together. By engaging directly with our counterparts in Thailand, we are
building relationships that can translate into greater tourist arrivals,
business opportunities, investment, knowledge exchange and long-term industry
growth,” he
said.

  

THREE STRATEGIC INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENTS  

 A
major milestone of the Trade Mission was the signing of three strategic
Memoranda of Understanding between MyBHA® and leading tourism and business
organisations from Thailand during the Visit Malaysia 2026 Seminar &
Networking Session organised by Tourism Malaysia Bangkok.

 

The
agreements were signed with the Thai Travel Agents Association (TTAA), the Thai
Medical and Wellness Tourism Association (TMWTA) and CHG Global Organization
(CHG).

 

The
signing ceremony was witnessed by Pn. Nurul Ain Mohammed Yunus, Director of
Tourism Malaysia Bangkok.

 

The
MoUs were signed by Dr Sri Ganesh Michiel, National President of MyBHA®, with Ms.
Tassanee Kiatkamchornchai, Vice President of the Thai Travel Agents Association
(TTAA), and Dr. Anusak Kongmalai, President of the Thai Medical and Wellness
Tourism Association (TMWTA).

 

The
third MoU was signed between Dato’ Sri K. Vijayendren, Chairman of the MyBHA®
National Foreign Trade Affairs Bureau, and Mr. Jacky Ong, Founder and Chairman
of CHG Global Organization (CHG).

 

The
agreements establish a long-term framework for cooperation in tourism
exchanges, business and investment opportunities, exhibitions, conferences,
networking programmes, market intelligence, industry research, advocacy and
promotional initiatives.

 

They
also provide a platform to connect MyBHA® member hotels with Thai travel
agencies and tourism stakeholders, with the objective of positioning Malaysia’s
budget and business hotels as preferred accommodation options for Thai leisure
and business travellers.

 

Under
the agreements, the participating organisations will mutually recognise one
another as International Industry Partners, strengthening institutional
relationships and enabling the promotion of collaborative activities, members and
initiatives through official communication channels, events, publications,
digital platforms and international business missions.

 

The
partnership with TTAA is expected to strengthen Malaysia’s presence within
Thailand’s outbound tourism market by creating closer connections between
Malaysian accommodation providers and Thai travel agencies. 

The
collaboration with TMWTA opens opportunities in the growing medical and
wellness tourism sector, including potential integrated tourism programmes,
professional exchanges, industry networking and cross-border business
opportunities.

 

Meanwhile,
the partnership with CHG Global Organization is expected to facilitate greater
business cooperation through exhibitions, conferences, investment missions,
business matching and international networking activities. 

Dr
Sri Ganesh said the agreements represent practical platforms for long-term
cooperation rather than ceremonial partnerships.

 

“Through
these partnerships, we are building an ecosystem where hotels, travel agencies,
wellness providers, investors and business organisations can connect and work
together.

 

“Our
objective is to transform international relationships into real opportunities
that benefit our members while contributing to Malaysia’s tourism growth and
regional economic cooperation,”
he said. 

MyBHA®
also recorded its appreciation to Tourism Malaysia Bangkok, particularly its
Director, Pn. Nurul Ain Mohammed Yunus, for facilitating industry engagement
and supporting initiatives that strengthen tourism cooperation and connectivity
between Malaysia and Thailand.

  

MYBHA® PARTICIPATES AS HOSTED BUYERS AT MEGA HALAL BANGKOK 2026 

As
part of the Trade Mission, MyBHA® representatives also attended and
participated as Hosted Buyers at MEGA HALAL Bangkok 2026 which was held from 15th
to 17th July 2026. 

The
international event brought together Halal entrepreneurs, exhibitors, buyers,
industry leaders and business partners, providing a platform for international
business networking, trade discussions and the exploration of new commercial
opportunities.

 

The
exhibition featured a diverse range of Halal products and services across
sectors including food and beverages, health and wellness, beauty and personal
care, fashion and apparel, reflecting the growing economic potential of the
global Halal industry.

 

MyBHA®’s
participation provided an opportunity to explore potential synergies between
the Halal economy and Malaysia’s tourism and hospitality sectors, particularly
in the areas of Muslim-friendly tourism, Halal hospitality products and
services, wellness tourism and cross-border business cooperation. 

During
the event, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was also signed between MyBHA®
and Comasia Limited, aimed at establishing a framework for future collaboration
in events, exhibitions and related business initiatives that may create
opportunities and benefits for MyBHA® members. The MoU was signed on behalf of
MyBHA® by Dato’ Sri K. Vijayendren, Chairman of the MyBHA® National Foreign
Trade Affairs Bureau, and Mr Henry Fong, General Manager of Comasia Limited,
representing the organiser. The collaboration is expected to facilitate greater
participation, business networking and industry engagement for MyBHA® members
in future events and exhibitions organised or facilitated by Comasia Limited. 

The
Hosted Buyer programme also enabled the Association to engage with
international suppliers, entrepreneurs and industry stakeholders while
identifying products, services and potential partnerships that could create
value for Malaysia’s budget and business hotel industry.

 

EXPERIENCING BANGKOK’S TOURISM ECOSYSTEM  

Beyond
formal meetings and business engagements, the Trade Mission also provided
participants with opportunities to experience and observe Bangkok’s tourism and
hospitality ecosystem firsthand.

 

Among
the tourism experiences was an exploration of the Chao Phraya River and
Bangkok’s river-based tourism environment. 

The
experience allowed participants to observe how tourism products, attractions,
transportation, hospitality services and urban destinations can be integrated
to create memorable visitor experiences.

 

MyBHA®
believes that international exposure of this nature is valuable for industry
representatives as it allows participants to experience tourism products as
visitors themselves, observe international practices and return with new
perspectives and ideas that may be adapted to strengthen Malaysia’s own tourism
and hospitality offerings.

  

COURTESY VISIT TO AGODA’S OPERATIONAL HEADQUARTERS.  

 On
16 July 2026, MyBHA® paid a courtesy visit to the Agoda’s Operational Headquarters
and it’s largest office at Tower 5, One Bangkok, Thailand, as part of its
ongoing engagement with key stakeholders in the digital travel and hospitality
ecosystem.

 

Dr
Sri Ganesh Michiel, together with Mr Yogendran Devarajan, Chairman of the
MyBHA® National Technical & Government Liaison Bureau, was received by Mr
Glenn Chau, Director of Supply, Agoda. 

The
meeting provided an opportunity to exchange views on the evolving hospitality
landscape, digital transformation, online travel trends, market developments
and potential areas of cooperation involving Malaysia’s budget and business
hotel sector.

 

The
discussions reflected the increasingly important role of digital platforms
within the tourism ecosystem and the need for continuous engagement between
accommodation providers and technology-driven travel platforms.

 

MyBHA®
views constructive engagement with industry stakeholders as essential in
addressing the evolving needs of accommodation operators, travellers and the
wider tourism economy.

 

The
Association looks forward to continued engagement with Agoda in areas that can
support innovation, industry development, sustainable growth and a more
connected hospitality ecosystem.

  

COURTESY VISIT TO PACIFIC ASIA TRAVEL ASSOCIATION (PATA)  

The
Trade Mission continued on 17th July 2026 with a courtesy visit to
the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Headquarters in Bangkok.

 

Dr
Sri Ganesh Michiel and Mr Yogendran Devarajan were received by Mr Noor Ahmad
Hamid, Chief Executive Officer of PATA. 

Discussions
also highlighted the importance of sustainable tourism development, industry partnerships,
knowledge sharing and stronger engagement among tourism stakeholders in
enhancing regional connectivity and creating new opportunities.

 

As
one of the region’s prominent tourism organisations, PATA plays an important
role in bringing together public and private sector stakeholders within the
Asia-Pacific tourism economy. 

MyBHA®
sees significant value in strengthening its relationship with regional and
international tourism organisations as part of its efforts to ensure that
Malaysia’s budget and business hotel sector remains connected to wider industry
developments and opportunities.

  

BUILDING INTERNATIONAL CONNECTIONS FOR MALAYSIAN HOTELS   

Reflecting
on the overall Trade Mission, Dr Sri Ganesh said MyBHA®’s international or
regional  engagement strategy is
ultimately focused on creating opportunities that can deliver tangible benefits
to its members and the wider Malaysian tourism industry.

 

“International
partnerships must ultimately create value. For MyBHA®, this means bringing more
visitors to Malaysia, creating new business connections for our members,
strengthening access to international markets, exchanging knowledge and
ensuring that our industry continues to evolve alongside regional and global
developments.

 

“Malaysia
and Thailand are close neighbours and important tourism partners. There is
tremendous potential for both countries to complement each other rather than
compete in isolation. By encouraging two-way tourism, business exchanges and
stronger industry-to-industry relationships, we can contribute towards growing
the tourism economy of the entire region,” he said. 

He
added that the mission also reflected the need for Malaysian tourism industry
associations to become more proactive in establishing their own international
networks.

 

“We
cannot wait for opportunities to come to us. The industry must actively build
relationships, participate in international platforms and create opportunities
for collaboration.

 

“This
Trade Mission has allowed MyBHA® to engage across multiple dimensions of the
tourism economy, from travel agencies and medical and wellness tourism to
international trade, the Halal economy, digital travel platforms and regional
tourism organisations.

 

“Each
engagement has its own strategic value, but collectively they contribute
towards one objective: strengthening the position of Malaysia’s tourism and
hospitality industry internationally.”

  

SUPPORTING VISIT MALAYSIA 2026  

 As
Malaysia continues with the Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign, MyBHA® believes that
international industry cooperation will play an important role in strengthening
Malaysia’s visibility and attracting more international visitors.

 

The
Association remains committed to supporting national tourism objectives by
strengthening international partnerships, promoting Malaysia’s accommodation
sector, encouraging cross-border tourism exchanges and connecting its members
with new markets and business opportunities. 

The
conclusion of the Trade Mission marks the beginning of the next phase of
engagement, with MyBHA® intending to follow through on the partnerships and
discussions established during the mission through future working committees,
business matching programmes, industry exchanges, exhibitions, promotional
activities and other collaborative initiatives.

 

MyBHA®
will continue to strengthen its international network and establish meaningful
partnerships that contribute towards increasing tourist arrivals, expanding
opportunities for its members and enhancing Malaysia’s competitiveness as a
leading tourism and hospitality destination in the region.

 —
END —

This press release has also been published on VRITIMES