FACE TRAVEL | TOURISM | INDIA–MALAYSIA
Sales Mission Series 2 brings Malaysian tourism stakeholders to Chennai, Mumbai and New Delhi to strengthen trade partnerships and broaden Malaysia’s appeal among Indian travellers
Malaysia is strengthening its engagement with the Indian travel market as it builds on the momentum of Visit Malaysia 2026 and looks towards an extended promotional campaign through 2027.
As part of this effort, Tourism Malaysia’s Sales Mission Series 2 is being held across Chennai, Mumbai and New Delhi from 12 to 20 August 2026, bringing together Malaysian tourism stakeholders and Indian travel industry partners to explore new business opportunities and deepen commercial relationships.
The initiative brings together 47 Malaysian tourism stakeholders, including tour operators, hoteliers and airline partners. Beyond strengthening existing trade relationships, the mission is designed to create new B2B opportunities, facilitate industry networking and encourage the development of travel experiences tailored specifically to the Indian market.
The mission is led by Mohd Amirul Rizal Abdul Rahim, Director General of Tourism Malaysia, and has been organised in collaboration with Batik Air, highlighting the importance of public-private partnerships in expanding Malaysia’s presence as a preferred international destination.
Strengthening One of Malaysia’s Most Important Source Markets
India remains a strategically important market for Malaysia, with the country continuing to benefit from strong connectivity between the two nations.
According to Tourism Malaysia, more than 190 direct flights operate between India and Malaysia each week, providing a combined capacity of more than 37,000 seats weekly. This extensive connectivity has played an important role in supporting visitor movement and making Malaysia increasingly accessible to Indian travellers.
Speaking about the initiative, Mohd Amirul Rizal Abdul Rahim emphasised the importance of maintaining sustained engagement with the Indian market amid an evolving international travel environment.
“India remains one of Tourism Malaysia’s most important and fastest-growing source markets,” he said, adding that continued, targeted and market-driven promotional efforts would be essential to keeping Malaysia top of mind among Indian travellers.
The Director General also highlighted the importance of close collaboration with airline partners and the travel trade in creating new opportunities and sustaining market momentum.
Beyond Kuala Lumpur and Genting Highlands
One of the key objectives of the sales mission is to encourage Indian travellers to look beyond the traditional Malaysian itineraries centred around Kuala Lumpur and Genting Highlands.
Malaysia’s broader tourism offering includes destinations such as Sarawak, Langkawi, Penang, Johor and Sabah, each offering a distinct combination of experiences.
From nature and adventure to island escapes, cultural heritage and gastronomy, these destinations also cater to shopping, family holidays, MICE travel and destination weddings.
For Tourism Malaysia, expanding awareness of these destinations could encourage Indian travellers to spend longer in the country, explore multiple regions and return for different experiences.
“We want to inspire travellers to explore destinations beyond the traditional Kuala Lumpur and Genting Highlands itineraries,” Mohd Amirul Rizal said.
The strategy also presents an opportunity for Indian travel businesses to develop more diverse and competitive packages that respond to the increasingly varied interests of Indian outbound travellers.
Strong Visitor Momentum from India
The Indian market has already demonstrated significant potential for Malaysia.
Following the introduction of visa-free travel for Indian nationals in December 2023, Malaysia recorded more than 1.5 million visitor arrivals from India in 2025, placing India among Malaysia’s top five international source markets alongside Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia and China.
With strong air connectivity and continued promotional activity, Tourism Malaysia expects this positive momentum to continue through 2026 and beyond.
The extended campaign period provides an additional window for the tourism industry to consolidate this growth and develop stronger long-term engagement with Indian travellers.
Visit Malaysia 2026 Extends Its Horizon
While Visit Malaysia 2026 remains a major focus of the country’s tourism promotion strategy, the campaign has now been extended through 2027, providing Tourism Malaysia and its industry partners with additional time to build on the visibility generated during the current campaign period.
The extension is expected to create greater opportunities for collaboration between Malaysian tourism stakeholders, airlines and the Indian travel trade while maintaining Malaysia’s visibility in a highly competitive international tourism market.
For Indian travellers, it also means a broader opportunity to discover Malaysia beyond its most familiar destinations and experience the country’s diverse combination of natural landscapes, culture, food, adventure, luxury, family attractions and business travel offerings.
A Broader Vision for Malaysian Tourism
At the heart of Visit Malaysia 2026 is an ambition that extends beyond visitor numbers. The campaign places emphasis on sustainable tourism development and aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs).
Tourism Malaysia aims to showcase the country’s natural attractions, cultural heritage and diverse tourism experiences while contributing to inclusive growth and creating long-term value for local communities and industry stakeholders.
The continued focus on India reflects the importance of international partnerships in achieving that vision.
As Tourism Malaysia takes its Sales Mission Series 2 across three major Indian cities, the message is clear: Malaysia is not simply looking to attract more Indian travellers—it is looking to build deeper relationships with the Indian travel industry and introduce visitors to a more expansive version of the country.
From the familiar energy of Kuala Lumpur to the islands of Langkawi, the cultural landscapes of Penang and Sarawak, and the natural attractions of Sabah, the next chapter of Malaysia’s India story may be about discovering just how much more there is to explore.
About Tourism Malaysia
The Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board, also known as Tourism Malaysia, operates under the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia (MOTAC). The agency is responsible for promoting Malaysia as a preferred tourism destination and strengthening the country’s presence and competitiveness within the global tourism landscape.
Visit Malaysia 2026 highlights Malaysia’s commitment to sustainable tourism development in alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The campaign seeks to showcase the country’s natural attractions, cultural heritage and diverse tourism offerings while supporting inclusive growth and long-term value for local communities and tourism industry stakeholders.
For more information, visit Tourism Malaysia’s website: www.tourism.gov.my
