Tourism Malaysia is set to kick off its largest-ever Sales Mission to India from February 3 to 7, 2025, targeting key cities such as Hyderabad, Bangalore, and Kochi. The mission will include 62 Malaysian sellers aiming to promote Malaysia as a premier destination for MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) tourism, wedding tourism, and leisure travel, with a particular focus on Southern India.
In 2024, Malaysia welcomed over 1 million Indian tourists from January to November, marking a 47% growth compared to the same period in 2019. More than 50% of these visitors came from Southern India, highlighting the region’s significance in Malaysia’s tourism strategy.
A key factor in this growth is the robust air connectivity between Malaysia and Southern India, with 151 weekly flights providing 26,686 seats per week between the two regions. IndiGo Airlines further enhanced this connectivity by introducing direct daily flights to Penang and Langkawi in December 2024, complementing its existing routes to Kuala Lumpur. This increased connectivity is expected to drive further growth in tourist arrivals.
Leading the mission, Tourism Malaysia Director General Datuk Manoharan Periasamy emphasized India’s importance in Malaysia’s tourism landscape. He noted, “India has been a key market for Malaysia for over two decades, and with the upcoming Visit Malaysia Year 2026 (VMY2026), we are targeting 1.6 million Indian travelers.” This goal aligns with Malaysia’s broader target of reaching 35.6 million international visitors by 2026.
Additionally, to encourage more Indian travelers, Malaysia has extended visa-free entry for Indian nationals until December 31, 2026. This policy, which was introduced in December 2023, allows a 30-day visa exemption and streamlines the travel process, contributing to the growth in Indian tourist arrivals.
