TOURISM MALAYSIA CHENNAI STRENGTHENS CYCLING TOURISM PROMOTION THROUGH FLY & RIDE SEASON 2
CHENNAI, 14 September 2026 – Tourism Malaysia Chennai successfully supported the second edition of FLY & RIDE: Malaysia Coastal Expedition 2026, bringing together 36 cyclists from India and the UAE for a 350-kilometre-plus cycling journey across Johor, Melaka and Negeri Sembilan.
Organised by Daya Sakti Travel & Tours Sdn. Bhd. and Transvel International Pvt. Ltd., India, with the support of Tourism Malaysia Chennai, the three-day expedition promoted Malaysia as an attractive destination for cycling, sports and experiential tourism, while contributing to the objectives of the Visit Malaysia 2026–2027 Campaign.
The expedition began in Johor Bahru on 8 September, following a flag-off officiated by Mr Jeffri Munir, COO of Johor Majestic Tourism. The cyclists then covered approximately 115 kilometres via Pontian to BatuPahat.
On 9 September, the group continued through ParitJawa, Muar and Tangkak, completing approximately 120 kilometres before arriving in Melaka. The participants were hosted to dinner by Tourism Melaka at Indian Hari Aum Restaurant, followed by a Melaka River Night Cruise, allowing them to experience the city’s heritage and riverside attractions.
The final cycling leg on 10 September took the group from Melaka to Port Dickson, with a stop at Pedas Hot Spring & Resort for refreshments and hydration before completing the coastal expedition.
Throughout the journey, Polis Diraja Malaysia (PDRM) provided traffic escort and safety support, contributing to the safe and smooth movement of the cyclists along the route.
Mr Hishamuddin Mustafa, Director, Tourism Malaysia Chennai (South India & Sri Lanka), participated in the expedition and led the group throughout the programme. He said:
«“FLY & RIDE is about much more than cycling. It is about experiencing Malaysia in a more meaningful way. Over the past few days, the cyclists have covered more than 350 kilometres while discovering our countryside, landscapes, culture, food and hospitality. This is the kind of tourism we want to promote — active, experiential and high-value — and it demonstrates Malaysia’s strong potential as a cycling destination, particularly for the Indian market.”»
He added that the participating cyclists could become ambassadors for Malaysia by sharing their experiences with their families, friends and fellow cycling communities.
Dato’ Chandran, Director & CEO, Daya Sakti Travel & Tours Sdn. Bhd., said:
«“FLY & RIDE offers international cyclists a unique way to experience Malaysia, combining challenging rides with our destinations, culture and hospitality.”»
Following the coastal expedition, the programme continued with a Kuala Lumpur city ride and destination experiences, before concluding with an appreciation and closing dinner at ibis Kuala Lumpur City Centre on 11 September. Madam NuwalFadhilah, Senior Director, ASAF Division, attended the dinner, where medals were presented to the participating cyclists.
FLY & RIDE Season 2 showcased Malaysia through a blend of cycling, wellness, heritage, gastronomy, scenic landscapes and local experiences, highlighting the potential of experiential cycling tourism in the Indian and international markets.
Tourism Malaysia Chennai expressed its appreciation to Daya Sakti Travel & Tours, Transvel International, Johor and Melaka tourism authorities, PDRM, Pedas Hot Spring & Resort, Melaka River Cruise, and all supporting stakeholders for their valuable cooperation in making the programme a success.
The successful expedition further strengthens Malaysia’s positioning as a cycling-friendly and experiential tourism destination, while providing a platform for developing future cycling tourism programmes from India and other international markets.
Tourism Malaysia Chennai
(South India and Sri Lanka)