World Tourism Day is often a celebration of destinations — the places people visit, the cultures they experience and the memories they bring home.
But behind every journey is an entire network of people and businesses helping travellers move from one place to another.
For MKAZ Car Rental, being part of that journey started in 2014.
Since then, more than 30,000 customers have travelled with MKAZ for holidays, airport arrivals, business trips, family journeys and road trips across Malaysia.
How is World Tourism Day connected to MKAZ?
MKAZ has been supporting mobility in Malaysia since 2014. From car rental and airport handovers at KLIA to corporate travel and our expansion into Sabah, our journey has grown alongside Malaysia's tourism industry. For us, tourism is not only about where travellers go — it is also about how they get there and how they feel along the way.
A Journey That Started in 2014
When MKAZ first started, the goal was simple: provide vehicles people could depend on when they needed to travel.
But every customer quickly showed us that a rental car is rarely just a rental car.
It can be the vehicle carrying a family on holiday.
It can be an international traveller's first drive in Malaysia.
It can take someone from KLIA to Kuala Lumpur, from the city to Melaka, up into the highlands or across destinations they might never have discovered without the flexibility to drive.
That is why our journey eventually became about something bigger than vehicles.
It became about mobility as part of the travel experience.
How the MKAZ Journey Has Evolved
The way we serve travellers today has grown significantly from where we began.
MKAZ begins its journey serving customers who need reliable mobility in Malaysia.
Services expand into airport mobility, longer rentals, corporate requirements and group transportation.
MKAZ extends its service to Kota Kinabalu, supporting travellers exploring Sabah.
More than 30,000 customers have become part of the MKAZ journey.
The business has grown, our fleet has grown and the way travellers book and communicate has changed.
But the fundamental expectation has remained the same: travellers want to feel confident about the journey ahead.
Tourism in Malaysia Is About More Than One Destination
Malaysia offers something particularly suited to road travel.
A visitor can experience a major city, historic town, beach, highland destination, food trail and local community within the same journey.
That means transportation plays an important role in allowing travellers to experience more than the destination where they first arrive.
- Kuala Lumpur and the Klang Valley
- Putrajaya and Cyberjaya
- Sepang and KLIA
- Melaka
- Genting Highlands
- Destinations across Sabah
For many travellers, having their own vehicle provides flexibility that fixed transportation schedules cannot always provide.
Visit Malaysia 2026–2027
World Tourism Day 2026 comes during an important period for Malaysian tourism as the country continues the Visit Malaysia 2026–2027 campaign.
The campaign showcases Malaysia's multicultural identity and encourages travellers to experience destinations, events, food, culture and nature throughout the country.
What's Happening in Malaysian Tourism Right Now?
World Tourism Day falls during a busy period in Malaysia's 2026 tourism calendar.
Citrawarna Speed Festival 2026
From 23 September to 4 October 2026, the Citrawarna Speed Festival brings together Malaysian culture and motorsports at IOI City Mall Putrajaya.
The programme also includes activities at KLIA Terminal 1 and Hotel Sama-Sama, making it particularly relevant to travellers passing through the country's main international gateway.
Official event information is available through Tourism Malaysia .
Malaysia International Craft Fair
Malaysia International Craft Fair runs from 24 September to 5 October 2026 at the Kuala Lumpur Craft Complex, giving visitors another opportunity to discover Malaysian arts, crafts and cultural identity.
Islamic Tourism Month 2026
The Islamic Tourism Centre, an agency under MOTAC, is also holding Islamic Tourism Month 2026 from 1 to 30 September 2026.
The campaign highlights Muslim-friendly tourism experiences including attractions, hotels, food and beverage, wellness and cultural experiences.
For Many Visitors, Their Malaysian Journey Begins at KLIA
Airports play a unique role in tourism because they create one of the first impressions a traveller has of a destination.
For many international visitors, Malaysia begins at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA).
From there, their journey might continue into Kuala Lumpur or further towards Putrajaya, Sepang, Melaka, Genting Highlands or other parts of Peninsular Malaysia.
That is why airport mobility has become an important part of MKAZ operations.
A traveller arriving after a long flight does not want unnecessary uncertainty.
Clear collection instructions, organised vehicle handovers and access to real customer support can make the transition from airport arrival to road travel much easier.
Understand Your Rental Before You Drive
Before collecting a vehicle, read our guide on how MKAZ car rental charges work to understand booking amounts, deposits, fuel, late returns and other rental-related charges.
Taking the Journey to Sabah
Our expansion to Kota Kinabalu represents another important part of the MKAZ story.
Sabah is a destination where having the freedom to travel independently can make a significant difference.
A visitor can arrive in Kota Kinabalu and continue towards beaches, countryside destinations, mountain areas and attractions outside the city.
For MKAZ, entering Sabah was not simply about adding another rental location.
It was an opportunity to bring our service approach to another important part of Malaysian tourism.
“The vehicle may take you to the destination, but the experience around the journey is what people remember.”
Malaysian Drive-pitalityWhat Is Malaysian Drive-pitality?
Hospitality is normally associated with hotels, restaurants and tourism attractions.
We believe it should continue on the road.
That idea became Malaysian Drive-pitality — MKAZ's approach to combining mobility with the warmth, helpfulness and human service associated with Malaysian hospitality.
It means remembering that behind every booking is a real person.
The car matters.
But so do communication, clarity, reliability and knowing there are real people available when assistance is needed.
Tourism Is an Ecosystem
A single holiday can involve airlines, airports, accommodation providers, restaurants, attractions, tour operators, transportation companies and local businesses.
Each part contributes to how a traveller remembers Malaysia.
Transportation connects many of those experiences together.
That is why we see MKAZ as one small part of a much larger Malaysian tourism ecosystem.
As Visit Malaysia 2026–2027 continues, the opportunity is not simply to bring more visitors into Malaysia.
It is also to make the experience they have once they arrive worth remembering.
What World Tourism Day Means to Us
This World Tourism Day, we celebrate everyone who keeps tourism moving.
The travellers exploring somewhere new.
The airport teams welcoming them.
The tourism operators introducing them to Malaysia.
The hotels, restaurants and local businesses serving them.
The communities giving each destination its identity.
And the teams working behind the scenes to make every journey possible.
From our beginning in 2014 to more than 30,000 customers later, thank you to everyone who has allowed MKAZ to become part of their journey.
There is still much more of Malaysia to discover.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did MKAZ Car Rental start?
MKAZ began its journey in Malaysia in 2014 and has grown to support local and international travellers through car rental and mobility services.
What is Malaysian Drive-pitality?
Malaysian Drive-pitality is MKAZ's approach to combining professional mobility services with clear communication, real human support and Malaysian hospitality.
Does MKAZ operate at KLIA?
Yes. KLIA is one of MKAZ's core operating areas, with vehicle handover arrangements available subject to the customer's confirmed booking and collection instructions.
Does MKAZ operate in Sabah?
Yes. MKAZ operates in Kota Kinabalu, supporting travellers who want to explore Sabah by road.
What is Visit Malaysia 2026–2027?
Visit Malaysia 2026–2027 is Malaysia's national tourism campaign showcasing the country's culture, destinations, nature, food and tourism experiences to domestic and international travellers.
Where can I find more Malaysia travel information?
Explore the MKAZ Drive Guides for driving information, destination ideas and practical travel guides.
Every Journey Has a Story. Where Will Yours Go Next?
Whether you are arriving through KLIA, planning a road trip or discovering Sabah, explore Malaysia with reliable mobility and real support from MKAZ.
Check Car Availability →Travel programmes, events and dates mentioned in this article are based on information published by Tourism Malaysia and MOTAC at the time of publication. Event schedules and programme details may change. Travellers should refer to the relevant official source before making travel arrangements.