Malaysia Sets Sights on 2.1 Million Indian Tourists as Sales Mission Lands in Bengaluru
Bengaluru – Aiming to capitalize on a surge in outbound travel from South India, Tourism Malaysia officially concluded its 2026 Sales Mission in Bengaluru today. The high-profile event, held at the Shangri-La Bengaluru, signals a strategic push to position Malaysia as the premier destination for Indian travelers ahead of the highly anticipated Visit Malaysia Year 2026 (VMY2026).
In collaboration with the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA), the mission brought together 49 Malaysian sellers—ranging from hoteliers to tour operators—to network with key travel trade partners across Karnataka.
ಭಾರತ-ಮಲೇಷ್ಯಾ ಪ್ರವಾಸೋದ್ಯಮ ಬಾಂಧವ್ಯ ವೃದ್ಧಿ: ಕರ್ನಾಟಕದ ಪ್ರವಾಸಿಗರನ್ನು ಸೆಳೆಯಲು ಮಲೇಷ್ಯಾದಿಂದ ವಿಶೇಷ ಕಾರ್ಯಕ್ರಮ
Strengthening the Southern Gateway
The mission’s focus on Bengaluru underscores the city’s status as a critical outbound hub. Statistics reveal a robust upward trajectory; Malaysia recorded over 1.56 million Indian arrivals in 2025, marking a 14.6% growth from the previous year. To maintain this momentum, the Malaysian government has set an ambitious target of 2.1 million arrivals from India for 2026.
“Tourism continues to serve as a strategic pillar in Malaysia–India relations,” stated Mr. K. Saravana Kumar, Consul General of Malaysia in Chennai. He emphasized that the Consulate is actively facilitating industry partnerships and promotional initiatives to “strengthen tourism trade linkages and expand bilateral cooperation.”
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Connectivity and Diverse Experiences
A major catalyst for this growth is the seamless connectivity between the two nations. Currently, 238 weekly direct flights link 14 Indian cities to Malaysia. South India remains the powerhouse of this network, contributing 151 of those weekly flights.
Datuk Manoharan Periasamy, Chairman of Tourism Malaysia, highlighted that the mission is about more than just numbers; it is about diversifying the “Malaysian experience.” While traditional family holidays and shopping remain popular, there is a burgeoning interest in niche segments.
“The Sales Mission showcased Malaysia’s wide-ranging offerings including leisure travel, island escapes, and nature-based experiences, while also spotlighting the growing demand for MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) and wedding tourism among Indian travellers,” Periasamy noted.
Looking Ahead to 2026
As the travel industry pivots toward the VMY2026 campaign, Tourism Malaysia is focusing on “refreshed experiences.” Mdm Nuwal Fadhilah binti Ku Azmi, Senior Director of International Promotions, remarked that Bengaluru remains a “strategic market” where the agency is committed to introducing updated tourism products and new destinations.
The mission was further bolstered by Batik Air, serving as the official airline partner, reinforcing the infrastructure necessary to meet the projected influx of tourists. With a blend of cultural affinity, proximity, and aggressive trade engagement, Malaysia appears well-positioned to turn its 2026 targets into reality.
Key Quotes
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English: “India is a cornerstone of our tourism strategy. With 238 weekly flights, we are making Malaysia the most accessible getaway for Indian families and businesses.” – Datuk Manoharan Periasamy, Chairman, Tourism Malaysia.
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Kannada: “ನಮ್ಮ ಪ್ರವಾಸೋದ್ಯಮ ಕಾರ್ಯತಂತ್ರದಲ್ಲಿ ಭಾರತವು ಪ್ರಮುಖ ಮಾರುಕಟ್ಟೆಯಾಗಿದೆ. ವಾರಕ್ಕೆ 238 ನೇರ ವಿಮಾನಗಳ ಮೂಲಕ, ಭಾರತೀಯ ಕುಟುಂಬಗಳು ಮತ್ತು ಉದ್ಯಮಿಗಳಿಗೆ ಮಲೇಷ್ಯಾವನ್ನು ಸುಲಭವಾಗಿ ತಲುಪುವ ತಾಣವನ್ನಾಗಿ ಮಾಡುತ್ತಿದ್ದೇವೆ.” – ದತುಕ್ ಮನೋಹರನ್ ಪೆರಿಯಸಾಮಿ, ಅಧ್ಯಕ್ಷರು, ಪ್ರವಾಸೋದ್ಯಮ ಮಲೇಷ್ಯಾ.
