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| From WeChat to Datuk Wira? Fan Bingbing's Tourism Impact May Be Officially Rewarded |
Chinese superstar said to be receiving state’s highest title as tourism boost credited to her ambassadorship
Looks like Fan Bingbing might be heading back to Melaka this August — and not just for sightseeing. Word on the street is, the Chinese megastar will reportedly be conferred the Datuk Wira title, one of the state’s top honours, in recognition of her impact on Melaka’s tourism scene.
While her appointment last year as Melaka’s Tourism Ambassador raised a few eyebrows, Fan Bingbing has clearly turned doubters into believers. According to state tourism figures, her star power helped bring in a massive surge in Chinese tourist arrivals, skyrocketing from 204,818 to over 664,000 in just a year. That’s not just impressive — it’s record-breaking. In fact, she even earned a spot in the Malaysian Book of Records for generating the “Largest Digital Hits for Malaysian Tourism on WeChat Using Celebrity Ambassador.”
Award rumours heating up ahead of August celebration
According to a report by China Press, Fan is expected to return to Melaka on 24th August 2025 (Sunday) for the Yang di-Pertua Negeri Melaka’s birthday celebration, where the honorary Datuk Wira title could be officially awarded. Nothing’s been officially confirmed yet, but the timing is lining up, and insiders seem to think it’s a done deal.
In the meantime, Fan Bingbing is currently in Kuala Lumpur, busy with filming commitments for an upcoming project. But if the rumours are true, she’ll soon be back in Melaka — both to receive her possible new title and to continue fulfilling her duties as Tourism Ambassador.
Could she stay on as Ambassador even longer?
There’s also speculation that her tenure as ambassador might be extended, especially with Melaka preparing to host two major international events — World Tourism Day 2025 and the World Tourism Conference 2025, both set to take place from 27th to 29th September. With Melaka’s global visibility on the rise, having someone like Fan Bingbing in the spotlight seems like a strategic move.
At 44, the actress has proved she’s still got international appeal and the numbers to back it up. Hotel bookings, restaurant footfall, tourist attractions — all saw a major boost thanks to her involvement. And let’s not forget: this collaboration came at a time when the local tourism industry was still bouncing back from post-pandemic slumps.
Public reaction still mixed, but results speak for themselves
Sure, her appointment didn’t come without criticism — especially from those questioning why a non-Malaysian celeb was picked for such a prominent role. But with real tourism growth tied to her name, it’s hard to argue with results.
The real question now is: will she accept the title? And if she does, will it lead to more cross-border collaborations between Malaysian tourism bodies and international celebs? Whether you're a Fan Bingbing stan or a sceptic, there’s no denying she’s made a mark on Melaka’s tourism map. Now all eyes are on August.