MYBHA® CONCLUDES SUCCESSFUL TRADE MISSION TO BANGKOK, STRENGTHENING MALAYSIA–THAILAND TOURISM, HOSPITALITY AND BUSINESS COOPERATION

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.

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