Meh Lah Johor 2026: A State-Wide Welcome Marks the Start of the Southern Tiger’s Boldest Era

The Johor State Government has officially inaugurated Visit Johor Year 2026 (VJY2026), launching a comprehensive state-wide campaign aimed at positioning the state as a premier international destination. The initiative sets an ambitious target of 12 million tourist arrivals, with an anticipated economic contribution of RM42 billion by the end of the year.

A Coordinated State-Wide Launch

The commencement of the campaign was marked by simultaneous welcoming ceremonies across Johor’s primary air, land, and sea gateways. Leading the proceedings at Senai International Airport, State Housing and Local Government Committee Chairman, Datuk Mohd Jafni Md Shukor, greeted the year’s inaugural passengers arriving from Jakarta, symbolizing the state’s readiness to receive international traffic.

Coordinated welcoming events were also executed at:

• Land Checkpoints: Bangunan Sultan Iskandar (BSI) and the Sultan Abu Bakar Complex (KSAB).
• Maritime Terminals: Puteri Harbour, Stulang Laut, and Kukup ferry terminals.
• Transport Hubs: The Pagoh R&R land entry point.

Transit Update: Terminal Feri Belungkor on January 10th

In a significant update, authorities have confirmed that January 10, 2026, will mark the final day of Welcoming Tourist operations at the Tanjung Belungkor Ferry Terminal.

Growth Momentum and Infrastructure Readiness

The 12-million-visitor target is supported by strong performance metrics from the preceding year. As of September 2025, Johor recorded 7.9 million domestic and international tourists who engaged in overnight stays. This growth serves as the foundation for the 2026 projections.

Datuk Mohd Jafni emphasized that the VJY2026 roadmap is the result of multi-year planning and high-level cooperation between state and federal agencies. A critical component of this readiness is the Johor Bersih (Clean Johor) campaign, which was initiated in 2022. All 16 local authorities have been mandated to maintain rigorous standards of cleanliness and urban beautification to ensure the state meets international hospitality expectations.

Johor: Your Next Stopover

As Johor kicks off this monumental year, the gates—from Senai to Puteri Harbour—are officially open.

With a calendar packed with world-class events and a state-wide commitment to the highest standards of hospitality, there has never been a more opportune time to visit.

Will you be one of the millions who will discover why Johor is the definitive anchor of Southeast Asian tourism this year? Meh lah (come to), Johor!

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