Malaysia is set to see a boost in tourist arrivals as Formula One (F1) fans from around the world are expected to travel to the country for the Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix 2026, which will be held at the Sepang International Circuit (SIC) from Oct 2 to 4.
Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) president Nigel Wong Chun Teik said the return of the world-renowned motorsport event could attract tens of thousands of international visitors to Malaysia.
He said the actual number of arrivals would depend on several factors, including global promotions, ticket sales, airline connectivity and available travel packages.
“F1 has a huge global following, with an estimated fan base of more than 800 million people worldwide. A well-positioned event could generate significant visitor arrivals, especially when combined with tourism campaigns encouraging fans to extend their stay beyond the race weekend,” he said.
The Bahrain GP is expected to complement the Visit Malaysia Year 2026 (VMY 2026) campaign, which aims to attract 47 million international tourist arrivals and generate RM329 billion in tourism receipts.
Wong said the event presents Malaysia with an opportunity to attract high-value travellers who are likely to spend more on accommodation, hospitality packages, dining, merchandise and exclusive experiences.
He added that motorsport tourists often plan additional activities before or after the race, creating opportunities for Malaysia to promote destinations such as Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Langkawi, Sabah and Sarawak.
“The arrival of teams, sponsors, international media and corporate guests will create demand across various sectors, including hotels, airlines, restaurants, travel agencies, transport providers and local attractions,” he said.
Wong said an increase in high-value visitors would provide wider economic benefits through direct spending and the supporting tourism supply chain.
He added that hosting the F1 event again would strengthen Malaysia’s reputation as a destination capable of managing major international sporting and business events.
Malaysia previously hosted the Malaysian Grand Prix for almost two decades before the race was discontinued after the 2017 season due to declining interest and rising costs.
Wong said the return of F1 could enhance Malaysia’s global visibility while boosting sports tourism, business events and investment opportunities.
He stressed that Malaysia should maximise the opportunity by introducing pre- and post-race travel programmes, as well as using the event as a platform for corporate tourism, incentive travel and business networking.
Formula One and the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) confirmed last Sunday that Malaysia would host the Bahrain GP at Sepang, marking F1’s return to the country for the first time since 2017.
