Malaysia beckons tourists from south Indian cities

Of the record one million tourists from India to Malaysia in 2024, over 50% were from south India. This underscores the strong connection between the region and Malaysia and the potential for opportunities, such as those in Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) sector, said officials of Tourism Malaysia on Monday (February 3).

Currently, there are 151 weekly flights from India to Malaysia, with a total capacity of 26,686 seats. In addition, the recent introduction of new flights to Penang and Langkawi from Chennai and Bengaluru further enhances travel options, making it easier for travellers from Hyderabad, Bengaluru and Kochi to explore Malaysia’s diverse offerings, they said.

Tourism Malaysia is currently holding its largest sales mission to India, covering Hyderabad, Bengaluru and Kochi. The 62-member team, led by Director-General of Tourism Malaysia Datuk Manoharan Periasamy, was in Hyderabad for the roadshow on Monday. The mission would conclude on February 7.

Mr. Periasamy said: “India has been a key market for Malaysia for over 20 years, and with the upcoming ‘Visit Malaysia Year 2026’ (VMY2026), we are targeting 1.6 million Indian travellers. South India, with its robust flight connections, is crucial to our growth strategy. This mission provides a valuable opportunity to highlight Malaysia’s appeal as a top destination for MICE, wedding tourism, and leisure travel, offering world-class infrastructure and beautiful destinations for all types of travellers.”

Malaysia’s MICE tourism offerings include state-of-the-art convention centres, luxury hotels and professional services for hosting international conferences and business events, besides the rapidly growing wedding tourism sector.

Director of Tourism Malaysia Hishamuddin Mustafa said south Indian cities of Hyderabad, Bengaluru and Kochi are vital markets for Malaysia.

Malaysia Year, set to take place in 2026, would commemorate the sustainability of the nation’s tourism industry, which is in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG), they said.