Hyderabad, Feb 3 (UNI) Datuk Manoharan Periasamy, Director General of Tourism Malaysia, has announced that Malaysia expects to welcome 2 million Indian tourists by 2026.



Speaking to the media during a roadshow at a private hotel in Hyderabad on Monday, Manoharan revealed that approximately 1.1 million Indian tourists visited Malaysia in 2024. The number is projected to rise to 1.5 million in 2025 and reach 2 million by 2026.



"Today, we have an updated delegation from Malaysia engaging with local operators to strengthen Malaysia's position as a preferred holiday destination. Several states are showcasing new products and attractions to enhance the tourism experience," he said.



Malaysia is highlighting various tourism offerings, including adventure tourism in Sabah and Sarawak, island activities like snorkelling and diving, and iconic destinations such as Mount Kinabalu. Additionally, the country is promoting homestay programs aimed at students and young travellers as part of its educational tourism initiatives.



Regarding concerns over visa procedures, Manoharan assured that Malaysia has streamlined its visa process for Indian tourists. "Since the implementation of visa-free entry in December, we have received over 1.1 million tourists from India. The visa process is simple—travellers need a passport valid for more than six months and can apply via the MDEC app or opt for visa-on-arrival," he explained.



Malaysia is also leveraging digital marketing strategies, including collaborations with local influencers and social media campaigns, to attract more Indian visitors. Shopping festivals, cultural experiences, and adventure tourism are key highlights of the Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign.



Ms Nuwal Fadhilah Ku Azmi, Director of International Promotion (Asia & Africa), stated that Malaysia's tourism roadshow in India has covered Mumbai and Hyderabad. It will cover Bangalore, and Kochi.



She highlighted Malaysia’s record-breaking 1.1 million Indian tourist arrivals in 2024, surpassing pre-COVID figures of 735,000 in 2019. This growth is attributed to Malaysia’s visa-free policy for Indian travelers, now extended until December 2026, along with increased air connectivity—270 weekly flights from 16 Indian cities, including new routes from Chennai to Penang and Bangalore to Langkawi via IndiGo.



The Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign, launched on January 6 by the Prime Minister, aims to attract up to 2 million Indian tourists, emphasising Malaysia’s diverse cultural heritage and shared historical ties with India. The campaign, themed "Surreal Experiences," showcases Malaysia as a vibrant melting pot of Malay, Chinese, Indian, and indigenous cultures.



With an increasing number of young and last-minute travellers, Malaysia seeks to deepen collaboration with Indian travel industry partners. Representatives from Selangor, Langkawi, hotels, travel agencies, and theme parks are engaging with Hyderabad’s tourism sector to drive further growth in Indian arrivals.



With a wide range of attractions, competitive pricing, and enhanced promotional efforts, Malaysia is set to strengthen its appeal among Indian travellers in the coming years.



Hishamuddin Mustafa, recently appointed Director of Tourism Malaysia Chennai also present on the occasion.

UNI VV GNK