Minister of Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Dato' Sri Tiong King Sing, pointed out that Malaysia has successfully attracted over one million Indian tourists this year.
He stated in a press release on Sunday (15th) that from January to November this year, a total of 1,009,114 Indian tourists visited Malaysia, reflecting a 47% increase compared to the same period in the pre-pandemic year 2019 and a significant growth of 71.7% compared to 2023. This showcases that more and more Indian tourists consider Malaysia as their preferred travel destination.
He mentioned that the visa-free program launched in December 2023 is a transformative measure, not only becoming a key factor in increasing Indian tourist visits to Malaysia but also bringing new opportunities to the tourism industry.
“Besides the existing Kuala Lumpur route, India also launched new routes in 2024, including Indigo Airlines' direct flights to Penang and Langkawi.”
“The increased connectivity from India further strengthens Malaysia as a preferred choice for tourists, especially catalyzing the Visit Malaysia Year 2026.”
tiong King Sing stated that the tourism board, in collaboration with top travel operators and online travel agencies (OTA), is promoting Malaysia's tourism industry in India, playing an important role in the achieved results. The promotion and creative marketing have successfully showcased Malaysia's rich cultural heritage and world-class attractions, establishing it as a vibrant and hospitable travel destination.
“Malaysia has been rated as the best location for Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, and Exhibitions (MICE) in India for 2024. This seamless integration of business and leisure tourism enhances Malaysia's appeal.”
“Looking forward to 2025, Malaysia aims to build on this year's success by strengthening connectivity, tailoring travel products, and deepening collaboration with industry operators.”
In preparation for the Visit Malaysia Year 2026, he is committed to providing Indian tourists with unforgettable experiences and reinforcing Malaysia as their top travel destination.
He added that Indigo Airlines increased the number of direct flights from India to Malaysia to 246, marking an important step in promoting tourism in line with the Visit Malaysia Year 2026. These initiatives not only enhance connectivity but also support the growing bilateral demand for tourism.