Malaysia is stepping up its efforts to attract more tourists from South India, particularly from cities like Hyderabad, Bangalore, and Kochi. These cities play a key role in the number of tourists traveling to Malaysia, with 84 weekly flights and a capacity of 12,395 seats per week.
Datuk Manoharan Periasamy, Director General of Tourism Malaysia, highlighted the importance of the South Indian market. “India has been a vital source of tourists for Malaysia for over 20 years. With Visit Malaysia Year 2026 (VMY2026) approaching, our goal is to attract 1.6 million Indian travelers. Southern India, with its excellent flight connections, is central to our growth strategy,” he said.
In 2024, Malaysia welcomed more than 1.1 million Indian tourists, setting a new record. Building on this success, the country aims to increase the number to 1.4 million in 2025 and 1.6 million in 2026, in line with the VMY2026 initiative.
One of the key factors contributing to this growth is Malaysia’s visa-free entry policy for Indian citizens, which will remain in place until December 31, 2026. This policy has made travel to Malaysia easier and more attractive for Indian visitors.
Hishamuddin Mustafa, Director of Tourism Malaysia Chennai, emphasized Malaysia’s broad appeal to various types of travelers, including those interested in business tourism (MICE), weddings, and leisure. He said, “Whether it’s for a conference, a dream wedding, or a family holiday, Malaysia offers something for everyone.”
Wedding tourism, in particular, has seen rapid growth, with more Indian couples choosing Malaysia as the destination for their weddings.
With strong flight connections from South India and a range of attractive offerings, Malaysia is well-positioned to become an even more popular destination for Indian travelers as it prepares for Visit Malaysia Year 2026.
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