Cebu, 31 January 2026 – World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur (WTCKL) has achieved a major international milestone after being conferred the ASEAN Tourism Standards Award (2026–2028) for the 3rd ASEAN MICE Venue (Exhibition Venue Category), reinforcing Malaysia’s standing as a leading regional hub for business events and exhibitions.
World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur received the prestigious accolade during the ASEAN Tourism Standards Awards 2026–2028 Ceremony, held on 30 January 2026 in Cebu, in conjunction with the ASEAN Tourism Forum 2026, hosted by the Philippines under its ASEAN chairmanship.
The award was presented by Shaharuddin Abu Sohot, Secretary-General of Malaysia’s Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia, and officiated by Christina Garcia Frasco, Secretary of Tourism of the Republic of the Philippines.
Regional Recognition for Exhibition Excellence
The ASEAN Tourism Standards Award recognises tourism and MICE facilities that meet stringent regional benchmarks covering physical infrastructure, technology readiness, service quality, central management capability, and operational excellence. WTCKL’s recognition places it among a select group of elite exhibition venues across ASEAN that consistently deliver international-class standards.
The accolade further strengthens WTCKL’s positioning as a premier destination for high-impact exhibitions, conferences and large-scale business events, aligning with Malaysia’s broader ambition to grow its business events and tourism economy.
Commitment to International-Class Standards
Group Managing Director of WTCKL, Irmohizam Ibrahim, said the recognition reflects the organisation’s sustained focus on quality and competitiveness.
“This recognition underscores our ability to meet ASEAN benchmarks and our continued focus on delivering high-quality, safe and competitive exhibition facilities,” he said.
He added that WTCKL will continue to invest in infrastructure enhancements and service innovation to remain aligned with global industry trends and evolving client expectations.
“Our priority is to strengthen our infrastructure in line with global developments while driving service innovation that exceeds customer expectations. Through closer strategic collaborations with industry partners, WTCKL will continue to be a key driver of a sustainable event economy in the region.”
During the ceremony, Dato’ Sri Dr. Irmohizam also met with Philippine Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco, where both parties reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening Malaysia–Philippines collaboration in advancing the ASEAN business events and MICE industry.
Catalyst for Continued Growth
Group Chief Executive Officer of WTCKL, Fauzy Wahab, described the award as a catalyst for WTCKL to further elevate its role in the regional MICE ecosystem.
He said WTCKL remains committed to driving growth through innovation, relevance and consistently high standards, reinforcing its position as a leading international convention and exhibition centre.
The ASEAN Tourism Standards Awards form part of ASEAN’s wider initiative to enhance quality, consistency and competitiveness across the region’s tourism and MICE industries, supporting sustainable growth and cross-border collaboration.
