Malaysia, renowned for its diverse cultural heritage and stunning natural landscapes, beckons travelers with a rich tapestry of experiences. From bustling cities and vibrant street markets to pristine beaches and lush rainforests, Malaysia offers a captivating blend of tradition and modernity for every type of tourist.
Tourism Malaysia is actively enhancing its promotional initiatives targeting Indian travelers, with a focus on participation in prominent tourism expos, including the recently concluded Outbound Travel Mart (OTM) in Mumbai from February 8 to 10, 2024, and the South Asia Travel & Tourism Exchange (SATTE) scheduled in New Delhi from February 12 to 22, 2024.
In tandem with its presence at OTM, Tourism Malaysia organised a Food and Culture promotional event in Mumbai from February 5 to 11. Riding on the success of this event, the tourism board is currently executing a comprehensive sales mission across five major cities—Bangalore, Chennai, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, and New Delhi—from February 12 to 22. Spearheaded by key figures including Razaidi Abdul Rahim (Director, Tourism Malaysia, Chennai), Noriah Jaafar (Director, Tourism Malaysia, Mumbai), and Akmal Aziz (Deputy Director, Tourism Malaysia, New Delhi), the mission involves 45 organizations, including state tourism bodies, airlines, hotel and resort operators, travel agents, product owners, and the Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB). This business-to-business event aims to foster networking and create business opportunities within the crucial Indian market.
In addition to productive business matching sessions, the event features seminars and product presentations highlighting various tourism markets such as MICE, weddings, golfing, and family-oriented activities. The sales mission anticipates the participation of over 500 travel agents and tour operators from the respective cities.
India holds significant importance as a priority market for Malaysia, given the robust economic ties and cultural affinities shared between the two countries. India currently stands as Malaysia’s fifth-largest source of tourists, contributing to the 17.8 million tourist arrivals recorded between January and November 2023, with 587,703 arrivals from India. The air connectivity between India and Malaysia is robust, with 181 weekly flights and 33,851 seats offered by Malaysia Airlines, Batik Air, AirAsia, and IndiGo.
This mission not only seeks to capitalize on the recently implemented visa-free entry for Indian citizens, effective from December 1, 2023, to December 31, 2024, as announced by Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Anwar Ibrahim but also serves as a platform to promote Visit Malaysia 2026 through extensive publicity coverage throughout the programme.
Malaysia boasts stunning natural landscapes, including pristine beaches, tropical rainforests, and mountainous regions. Popular destinations include Langkawi, Penang, Tioman Island, and the Cameron Highlands. Malaysia provides opportunities for adventure enthusiasts, such as jungle trekking, water sports, and diving. Taman Negara National Park and Borneo’s rainforests are popular destinations for eco-tourism and wildlife experiences. Malaysia has a wealth of historical sites and landmarks. The UNESCO-listed George Town in Penang, Melaka’s historic city center, and the Sultan Abdul Samad Building in Kuala Lumpur are among the notable sites. The everlasting beauty of Malaysia is consistently attracting tourists from India.
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