Disha Shah Ghosh - Mumbai Malaysia Tourism is hoping to welcome 1 million tourists from India by 2024, having resumed its marketing activities here with multi-city roadshow after reopening of borders. Prior to Covid in 2019, Malaysia recorded 706,000 Indian tourists.
Addressing the press at the Mumbai leg of the roadshow, Manoharan Periasamy, Senior Director, International Promotion Division, Asia/Africa, said, “We are hoping to welcome 1 million tourists from India. This will be supplemented by improved air connectivity from various destinations from India as airlines have expressed interest in opening new routes and frequencies between the two countries.” Currently, IndiGo, Malaysia Airlines, AirAsia, Malindo Air, SpiceJet are some of the carriers that operate flights to Malaysia from India.
Talking about the roadshow, he said, “We have more than 22 suppliers representing travel agents, hoteliers, and DMCs here to meet the Indian trade fraternity. We are back in the business and are looking at cultivating relationships with the trade in India after a gap.”
Ninety per cent of Malaysian population is fully vaccinated, and the country has reached more than 70% of booster shots. “Malaysia is the first country in the region to completely reopen borders. The two main areas we are looking at, especially from Mumbai, is Bollywood shoots and weddings & incentives movement. We believe for big fat Indian weddings Malaysian hotels of four and five-star category is a suitable choice.”
Under the Film National Development Authority, Malaysia is offering 20% tax rebate for film shoots with minimum USD 1 million spend. “We are also offering 5% extra rebate if Malaysian costumes are used in film shoots.”
For weddings and film shoots, Malaysia has developed Desaru coast, alongside positioning Langkawi and Penang as favourable choices.
Replying to a question from TravelBiz Monitor on cruise tourism, Periasamy said that they be closely working with Royal Caribbean International for making port of calls in the country since the fall of Genting Group has brought home porting of ships in Malaysia to a complete halt.
