SHOPLAH AIMS TO DRIVE TOURISM SPEND THROUGH AIRPORT RETAIL FOR VM 2026

Francisca Luhong, Vanessa Tevi Kumares, Serena Lee, and Gil showcase the exclusive duty-free ShopLAH bags, featuring vibrant designs by talented Malaysian artists - Hsieying, Kideika, Daisy Dalia, and Afi.

As Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) gains momentum, ShopLAH is strengthening airport retail as a key driver of visitor experience and tourism spending across Malaysia Airports’ international network. 

Positioned as an always-on airport retail experience campaign, ShopLAH integrates shopping, dining and cultural storytelling into the passenger journey, reinforcing airports as active contributors to Malaysia’s tourism economy. The campaign supports national tourism objectives by encouraging higher passenger spend while showcasing Malaysian brands and identity at key gateways.

 (L-R) Hani Ezra Hussin, Senior General Manager of Commercial Services, YB Dato’ Seri Tiong King Sing, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, and Dato’ Mohd Izani Ghani, Managing Director of Malaysia Airports, showcase duty-free bags designed by local artists at the ShopLAH launch.

Managing Director of Malaysia Airports, Dato’ Mohd Izani Ghani, said ShopLAH reflects the airport operator’s role in shaping visitors’ first and last impressions of the country, “The campaign enhances the passenger travel experience while strengthening our commercial ecosystem through close collaboration with concessionaires, local brands and the creative community. By activating airport retail as part of the journey, we are reinforcing our airports as gateways that connect tourism, business and Malaysian identity, in line with our broader aim to position Malaysia as the most connected country in Asia Pacific.”

YB Dato’ Seri Tiong King Sing, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, delivers his keynote address during the official launch of the ShopLAH campaign

In 2025, Malaysia Airports recorded 104.5 million passenger movements across its local network, translating into strong retail performance. Total sales transactions numbered about 44 million, a 28.8% year on year increase.

This performance was supported by a continued focus on strengthening the presence of Malaysian brands to deliver a sense of Malaysia, such as Oriental Kopi, Kapten Batik, Serai, Jibby Chow and Little Malaysia. Food and beverage sales grew by 19% year on year, while the gifts and souvenirs category recorded 42% growth,

emerging as the fastest-growing retail segment. This included chocolate and confectionery, where Malaysian brands now contribute 33% of the overall chocolate category.

Building on this momentum, Malaysia Airports will introduce the Tourist Privilege Card. Integrated into the MYAirports App, the digital card will offer instant discounts, shopping privileges and rewards across participating retail and food outlets, further enhancing value for international visitors during Visit Malaysia 2026.

Dato’ Mohd Izani Ghani, YB Dato’ Seri Tiong King Sing, and Hani Ezra Hussin unveil the Tourist Privilege Card, a key highlight of the ShopLAH campaign designed to enhance the retail experience for global visitor

As part of its experiential approach, ShopLAH is also offering limited edition foldable duty free bags as the campaign’s signature keepsake. Created in collaboration with Malaysian artists, Hsieying; Kideika; Daisy Dalia; and Afi Sulaiman, each design reflects elements of Malaysia’s culture, heritage, urban life and food through sustainable, reusable formats. Together with selected collaborations with global brands such as Lego, ShopLAH positions airports as places of discovery that create memorable experiences for travellers.

Alana Dunsmore displays the limited-edition duty-free bag, featuring a bespoke design by a local Malaysian artist.

Artist: Chaw Hsien Yang	Chaw Hsien Ying is a self-taught artist who grew up in a family with a green thumb, cultivating her love for plants which manifests in her paintings. Her artwork has been featured in Thailand and Singapore.  Instagram Handle: @Hsieying
Artwork	Malaysia's rich wildlife and florals come alive in this vibrant Peranakan-inspired design, where tropical blooms such as morning glory and ginger torch surround the Kamcheng jar, traditionally used to store food, water, and treasured items.  The design is further adorned with the rhinoceros hornbill and Malayan tapir, highlighting our unique but endangered wildlife.

Artist: KIDEIKA (Kide Baharudin & Ika Sharom)	KIDEIKA is a collaboration between Kide Baharudin and Ika Sharom, creative soulmates united by a passion to showcase Malaysian culture to the world through visual art and printmaking.  Instagram Handle: @Kideika
Artwork	Their piece captures Malaysia’s multicultural history and the harmony of its diverse influences. Set in Kuala Lumpur, it romanticizes everyday scenes—tricycle hawkers, tourists, locals, and minibuses—revealing the quiet beauty of ordinary moments against a vibrant heritage backdrop.

Artist: Daisy Dalia	Daisy Dalia comes from an architectural background, giving her a keen eye for detail. She creates art that weaves together diverse cultural crafts, showcasing Malaysia’s beauty and heritage. Her artwork have been showcase throughout Kuching Sarawak Instagram Handle: @DaisyDalia
Artwork	Her work, "Anyaman Warisan (Weaving of Heritage)," celebrates tradition by intertwining the art of weaving with batik floral motifs. It reflects how heritage continually blossoms into new forms while staying rooted in tradition.

Artist: Afi Sulaiman	Afi Sulaiman began art as a form of therapy and self-expression, which evolved into playful explorations of lines, patterns, textures, and colours, evoking innocence and nostalgia. Instagram Handle: @afisulaiman
Artwork	Afi’s piece is inspired by Malaysia’s vibrant foodie culture. It reflects the comfort of sharing meals at roadside stalls, food courts, restaurants or charming neighbourhood eateries. This is where people of all backgrounds come together to share laughter and stories over delicious food.