(Putrajaya Malaysia, October 2026) It seemed an odd day to travel. Haze from fires in Indonesia painted the sun crimson as it slowly climbed from the horizon. I admired its distinctive colour as the limo from the Marriott transferred us from the Marriott Putrajaya to Malaysia’s domestic airport about a half hour drive. Anak Krakatau had erupted a few days before creating air travel havoc. The Singapore – Jakarta route was the most effected and several journalists from Indonesia had their flights cancelled and didn’t make it to Malaysia for this event.

The event? Marriott International, working with Malaysia’s convention bureaus, is on a mission to show the world how the country is a connected, multi-destination opportunity for regional meeting planners. Destination Convention Malaysia was launched in collaboration with the Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB), Business Events Sarawak (BESarawak) and Sabah Convention Bureau. The new platform sees Malaysia’s convention infrastructure, hospitality capabilities and destination experiences providing organisers with a broader view of what the country can offer at locations and event formats throughout the country.

Just showing meeting rooms and their facilities is a big yawn. You can get all the information you need from a website. Having people experience the destination is much more valuable when they get a personal view of the space. So that’s why they flew in writers from India, Indonesia (who didn’t make it) and Singapore, with local writers from Malaysia joining us.

After marvelling at the entrance – the pillars, the fountains and the grandeur, I was warmly greeted by the front desk staff when I walked into the Marriott Putrajaya. ‘Are you tired after your journey?’ I was asked.  “No,” I responded. “I’ve just come from Singapore.” Getting to the airport, checking in and waiting for my flight took longer than the flight itself.   

Settling into my spacious room I reviewed the first day’s agenda. It looked more fun than challenging. I explored the hotel. The entrance, the lobby and the dining areas are palatial, expansive or vast if you wish. It is made this way by the lower floor being open to the second floor, the wall of windows allowing views of the pool and the garden.  

I joined other media who were being greeted by Marriott staff as we went for lunch. Sarah Aziz, Assistant Manager and Country Director Sales & Distribution Malaysia and  Joyce Wong, Country Director Sales & Distribution Malaysia were always around. Providing assistance and ensuring we were where we should be. 

Mr Musa Anshari, Director of Food & Beverage took the lead to talk about Nasi Lemak one of Malaysia’s favorite dishes. “We want you to experience the local food,” he said. Zariz Ruddin, Director of Operations, said Nasi Lemak is regarded as Malaysia's national dish and encouraged us to help ourselves. 

Nasi Lemak combines rich flavors and a balance of sweet, spicy, salty, and savory elements such as rice cooked in coconut milk and pandan leaves, giving it a creamy texture with an alluring aroma. The rice is usually served with fiery sambal. For those who like the chili paste that gives the dish its signature kick. Crispy fried anchovies, roasted peanuts, fresh cucumber slices and a hard-boiled or fried egg also accompany the rice. 

I was looking forward to the Golf Club & Driving Range experience scheduled for the afternoon at the nearby Palm Garden Golf Club, part of IOI Resort City, Putrajaya. The award-winning 18-hole course offers an exceptional golfing experience with breathtaking natural beauty.  

It has been about four years since I held a golf club. We didn’t get out on the links, but the extensive driving range has two levels of hitting bays. Looking out to the slope where a flurry of balls bounced around the targets you could aim for, I took quite a few swings. Maybe more than was good for me after such a long time. Guests at the hotel can book times and transfers to the course.

Putrajaya is not known for its night life. You don’t go to Malaysia’s Federal Administrative Centre expecting late nights in throbbing bars, but there is nighttime activity that all ages can enjoy. When I mentioned a Putrajaya Cruise to friends there were double takes. A cruise in Putrajaya? Yes, and it is an absolute delight.  Our group went out in the evening and had an excellent evening on the water.

Putrajaya Lake, manmade and covering 650h, is rimmed by highrises, ornate religious and government buildings, and it is crossed by several illuminated bridges bringing colour to the night. Launched in August 2003, the Cruise Tasik Putrajaya glides along the lake past the elegant Putra Mosque, the Prime Minister’s office, Perdana Putra, and under the Seri Wawasan Bridge. 

Ladies and gentlemen, if you don’t know what they look like don’t worry, there is a running commentary pointing out and explaining the interesting landmarks. We enjoyed a very Malaysian seafood dinner at circular tables with the dishes rotating on Lazy Susans. A great environment for conversation.  

When dinner was finished, many of us went upstairs to the open deck and on a perfect night we watched the attractions drift by. Our craft could hold about 30 people, and we passed smaller boats with couples on board. What a romantic setting for a date night! I found it very relaxing and would recommend a dinner cruise on Putrajaya Lake. 

I woke up in agony – barely able to walk as my left leg was sore and my ankle was slightly swollen. I made it through breakfast, but when I limped over to join Sarah and Joyce they insisted I go to a clinic. I was in no position to argue. They arranged for a car and driver who took me to and from a nearby clinic.   

I got a shot and Meds and was back to the hotel quite quickly, but not fast enough to catch the Live Cooking activity, the Site Inspection and the Malaysia Traditional Dance Performance. I was in time for the Batik painting demonstration and hands-on batik drawing experience. This was the third time I’ve put paint to the ready-made designs of birds and flowers. I took a moment to decide what colours I was going to use. The result was better than the first two but wouldn’t support me as a career. 

The pain was slowly easing  as in the afternoon we transferred to the St. Regis Kuala Lumpur where Destination Convention Malaysia was taking place. With business event organisers across Asia-Pacific placing greater emphasis on the experiences surrounding an event, Marriott International is now working with Malaysia’s convention bureaus to present the country as a connected, multi-destination proposition for regional planners. 

The Marriott’s Destination Convention Malaysia is a collaboration with the Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB), Business Events Sarawak (BESarawak) and Sabah Convention Bureau. You can see the earlier post here: https://asianjourneys.com.sg/14-Sep-2026/marriott-international-showcases-malaysia-beyond-meeting-room-asia-pacific-event-planners 

St Regis KL Astor Ballroom had a buffet setup, seating and a stage for the speeches and panel discussion that were to come. There were eight stations created by Malaysia’s Marriott Hotels, each with a different experience.

Tan Mei Phing, Chief Executive Officer, Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB), in her Welcome Address said that Malaysia has proven it can host major business events. Malaysia destinations offer distinct event experiences,” the CEO stated. “We provide quality and a seamless delivery providing an experience you couldn’t get anywhere else. We are offering a passport to possibilities. There is more to Malaysia than Kuala Lumpur, which is the gateway to this diverse and beautiful country.”

"Regional planners increasingly want destinations that can provide strong infrastructure while also giving delegates a meaningful experience outside the formal program," said George Varughese, Market Vice President, Malaysia, Marriott International. "Malaysia can offer both. It combines international connectivity and established convention capabilities with an extraordinary variety of cultures, landscapes and experiences. Through Destination Convention Malaysia, we want to make that full proposition more visible and accessible to planners across Asia-Pacific. There is a lot of competition in the region of those who can host events,” he continued. “We have to give decision makers a reason to choose Malaysia. We have amazing facilities in an amazingly beautiful country.  

“What makes Malaysia attractive to visitors,” noted Jason Tan Chin Foo, Chief Executive Officer, Business Events Sarawak (BESarawak) and Chair, ICCA Asia Pacific Chapter (2026–2028), is that it has a strong economy, and political and social stability. Malaysia is safe and it has a strong culture, an incredible gastronomy and a rich history. Those are reason people are attracted to Malaysia. We have a story to tell and here the media plays a role. We need the story to get out to people.”  

Noredah Othman, Chief Executive Officer, Sabah Convention Bureau pointed out that the state has always been a leisure destination. “Now we are making it into a destination for business meetings and events with the addition of the now three-year-old Sabah Convention Bureau. Sabah is accessible with 128 direct flights per week. We are strategically located and we are getting support from our partners, which is extremely important, to attract more visitors and events.

Connecting Venues with Destination Experiences

Marriott International currently operates 65 hotels throughout Malaysia, giving regional planners access to accommodation and event facilities in key business and leisure destinations. Its portfolio provides access to major convention and event facilities including Marriott Putrajaya International Convention Centre, Renaissance Kuala Lumpur Hotel & Convention Centre, Courtyard by Marriott Kuala Lumpur South, Desaru Coast Conference Centre and Langkawi International Convention Centre. 

Organisers can combine accommodation and event facilities with dining, wellness activities, local excursions and other destination experiences. This allows programs to extend beyond the meeting room and gives planners greater flexibility to design events around their delegates’ interests.

Eight Marriott Hotels from Malaysia set up experience stations where they increased awareness of their resorts through various activities. The staff put in a lot of effort to make it an enjoyable experience.

When the evening was finished we returned to Marriott Putrajaya. In the morning I would be off to the fresh air of Langkawi to experience two more Marriott Hotels. 

For more information on Marriott Bonvoy’s convention centres and business events facilities across Malaysia, please visit Marriott Bonvoy Malaysia – Convention Centres.

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