Tourism Malaysia Reinforces India Market Engagement At Melange 3.0 In Mumbai

 

MUMBAI — Tourism Malaysia is intensifying its promotional efforts in the Indian market by participating in Melange 3.0, held today at the Jio World Convention Centre, BKC, Mumbai. The participation forms part of Tourism Malaysia’s ongoing efforts to promote Malaysia’s rich tourism offerings, unique experiences, and upcoming events under the Visit Malaysia 2026–2027 (VM2026–2027) campaign.

This year, Tourism Malaysia, together with the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) and the Malaysian Indian Tourism and Travel Association (MITTA), participated in the highly anticipated travel trade gathering, bringing together a total of eight Malaysian tourism stakeholders, including tour operators, hoteliers, and tourism attractions.

The initiative aimed to strengthen trade partnerships, create new business opportunities, introduce Malaysia’s latest tourism products, and further position the country as a preferred destination for Indian travellers. The presence of the presidents of both MATTA and MITTA further demonstrated strong industry collaboration and commitment to strengthening Malaysia’s presence in the Indian market.

-Tourism Malaysia.

Sun Pharma Star Club Awards 2026 Strengthens Malaysia’s Position As A Leading Mice Destination For India

 

KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysia continues to strengthen its position as a preferred destination for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) from India by hosting the Sun Pharma Star Club Awards 2026, bringing together approximately 6,200 participants from across India. The programme, which runs from 31 August to 9 September 2026, combines corporate recognition, incentive travel, and destination experiences across Kuala Lumpur, Port Dickson, Genting Highlands, and Putrajaya. 

A key highlight, the Star Club Awards 2026, was held today at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC), featuring an awards presentation and entertainment programme to celebrate the achievements of Sun Pharma’s Star Club members. 

The programme also included a high-level meeting between Tourism Malaysia, Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB), and Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Limited, underscoring the importance of strengthening Malaysia-India tourism relations and exploring opportunities to attract more high-value corporate and MICE groups to Malaysia. 

In attendance were Datuk Manoharan Periasamy, Chairman of Tourism Malaysia; Mr Mohd Amirul Rizal Abdul Rahim, Director General of Tourism Malaysia; Mr Mohd Akbal Setia, Deputy Director General (Promotions) of Tourism Malaysia; Ms Tan Mei Phing, Chief Executive Officer of MyCEB; Mr Dilip Shanghvi, Executive Chairman of Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Limited; and Mr Kirti Ganorkar, Managing Director of Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Limited. 

Mr Mohd Amirul Rizal Abdul Rahim, Director General of Tourism Malaysia, noted that Tourism Malaysia greatly appreciated Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Limited’s confidence in selecting Malaysia to celebrate the achievements of its Star Club members. 

“The participation of approximately 6,200 delegates from across India provides an excellent opportunity to showcase Malaysia not only as a leisure destination, but also as a preferred destination for MICE and business events,” said Mr Mohd Amirul Rizal Abdul Rahim. 

Throughout the programme, delegates will experience Malaysia’s diverse tourism offerings, including city tours, resort activities, KL Tower, Genting SkyWorlds Theme Park, the Genting Cable Car, shopping, and other destination experiences. The event is also expected to generate positive economic benefits across the tourism ecosystem, including accommodation, transportation, food and beverage, attractions, shopping, and event-related services. 

The hosting of the Sun Pharma Star Club Awards 2026 supports Tourism Malaysia’s efforts to further reinforce business events as part of Malaysia’s tourism appeal and strengthen the MICE segment while leveraging the momentum of Visit Malaysia 2026–2027 to attract more high-value visitors and international business events from India. 

From January to June 2026, Malaysia recorded 738,709 visitor arrivals from India. This reflects the confidence and interest of Indian travellers, particularly business travellers, in Malaysia’s holistic travel experiences, including vibrant cultural heritage, immersive culinary offerings, warm hospitality, world-class business functions, and nature-based getaways.

-Tourism Malaysia.

Celebrating A Successful Conclusion To Sales Mission To India Series 2

 

NEW DELHI, 19 August 2026| Tourism Malaysia successfully concluded the Sales Mission to India Series 2 with a networking dinner in New Delhi, bringing together 220 buyers from the Indian travel industry.

As New Delhi marked the final city of the mission, Tourism Malaysia is pleased to have engaged with more than 700 buyers across three major Indian cities, Chennai, Mumbai and New Delhi, further strengthening industry connections and creating new opportunities to promote Malaysia in the Indian market.

The networking dinner was graced by the presence of Mr. Mohd Amirul Rizal Abdul Rahim, Director General Tourism Malaysia; Puan Sharifah Ezneeda Wafa Syed Zulkarnain Wafa, Chargé d’Affaires of the Malaysia High Commission in India, together with other Malaysian diplomats and officers from Tourism Malaysia New Delhi.

The successful conclusion of the three city mission reflects the strong interest and confidence of the Indian travel trade in Malaysia, while providing an important platform for Malaysian sellers and Indian buyers to strengthen partnerships, explore new business opportunities and promote Malaysia’s diverse tourism offerings.

A heartfelt congratulations and appreciation to the all TM offices in India for the excellent arrangement and Malaysian sellers for the support in making the Sales Mission to India Series 2 a great success!

Together, we continue to strengthen Malaysia–India tourism ties and welcome more Indian travellers to experience Malaysia Truly Asia in conjunction with Visit Malaysia 2026-2027.

-Tourism Malaysia.

Tourism Malaysia Concludes Sales Mission To India Series 2 In New Delhi

 

NEW DELHI, 19 August 2026 | The Sales Mission to India Series 2 has reached its final destination in New Delhi, marking another important milestone in strengthening Malaysia’s presence and engagement in the Indian market.

A press conference was held featuring Director General of Tourism Malaysia, Mr Mohd Amirul Rizal Abdul Rahim, together with Mr Ahmad Johanif Mohd Ali, Director of Tourism Malaysia New Delhi; Dato’ Aruldas, President of MITTA; and Mr Suresh Vanan, Head of Communication & Promotion, Batik Air. The session was attended by 55 media representatives from New Delhi.

During the press conference, the Director General highlighted the importance of maintaining a consistent and continuous presence in the Indian market through initiatives such as the Sales Mission. Such engagements provide a vital platform to strengthen industry partnerships, address market challenges and ensure Malaysia remains top of mind among Indian travellers.

The session also highlighted Tourism Malaysia’s efforts to promote destinations beyond the traditional Kuala Lumpur and Genting Highlands routes, with greater emphasis on Penang, Langkawi, Johor Sabah & Sarawak, alongside Malaysia’s diverse offerings in culture, nature, adventure, golf, wellness & education.

The Director General also addressed the current challenges and crises affecting the tourism industry, both in Malaysia and globally, emphasising the importance of resilience, closer collaboration with airlines and travel trade partners, as well as continuous market promotion to sustain tourist confidence and travel demand.

As Malaysia looks ahead to Visit Malaysia 2026–2027, Tourism Malaysia remains committed to creating greater awareness of Malaysia’s diverse tourism experiences and encouraging Indian travellers to discover more of Malaysia, beyond the familiar destinations.

From Chennai to New Delhi, Sales Mission to India Series 2 concludes with renewed commitment to strengthening the Malaysia–India tourism connection and driving greater opportunities for the tourism industry.

-Tourism Malaysia.

Unlocking New Possibilities With Flycreative

 

MUMBAI, 17 August 2026 | As part of the Director General’s, Mr Mohd Amirul Rizal Abdul Rahim official working visit and Sales Mission to India Series 2, Tourism Malaysia continued its engagement with key travel industry partners in Mumbai through a meeting with Flycreative Online Limited.

The session brought together Mr Adi Karim, Joint Director of Flycreative and Henna, Head of Holidays Department, Flycreative for an exchange of ideas on how Malaysia can further capture the Indian travel market.

The discussion explored opportunities to diversify Malaysia’s destination offerings beyond Kuala Lumpur particularly by giving greater prominence to Langkawi and other emerging destinations that can offer Indian travellers a different Malaysian experience.

Another key area highlighted was the development of Muslim Ziyarat travel packages, with potential to specifically target the Kerala and Mumbai markets through tailored itineraries and focused promotional strategies.

The engagement reflects Tourism Malaysia’s continued efforts to work closely with the industry in creating market-driven products, niche experiences and stronger destination visibility, while opening new avenues to attract more Indian visitors to Malaysia.

-Tourism Malaysia.

Mumbai Says “Chalo Malaysia!” – Let’s Go Malaysia!

 

MUMBAI, 17 August 2026 | Mumbai marked the second city stop of Tourism Malaysia’s ongoing India Sales Mission, with the Director General of Tourism Mr Mohd Amirul Rizal Abdul Rahim, Malaysia leading a press conference attended by 40 media representatives from Mumbai.

The press conference also served as an important platform to introduce Tourism Malaysia Mumbai’s new campaign, “Chalo Malaysia” — Let’s Go Malaysia!, aimed at creating stronger awareness and excitement among Indian travellers to choose Malaysia for their next holiday.

The campaign brings Malaysia closer to the Indian market by showcasing the country’s diverse tourism experiences, with a strong emphasis on experiential tourism, leisure and niche segments such as adventure and nature-based tourism, while continuing to highlight Malaysia’s strong appeal as a leisure destination.

The session also highlighted Malaysia’s rich mix of experiences from culture, gastronomy and lifestyle to nature, adventure, islands and family-friendly attractions, reinforcing the message that Malaysia has something for every Indian traveller.

Also in attendance were Ms Haryanty Abu Bakar, Director of Tourism Malaysia Mumbai; Mr Nigel Wong, President of MATTA; and Dato’ Aruldas, President of MITTA, reflecting the strong collaboration between Tourism Malaysia and the Malaysian tourism industry in growing the Indian market.

With India remaining a key source market, Tourism Malaysia continues to strengthen its promotional efforts, industry partnerships and media engagement to attract more Indian travellers and position Malaysia as a preferred destination.

-Tourism Malaysia.

Strengthening Partnerships, Expanding Horizons: Tourism Malaysia’s Working Visit To Bangalore

 

INDIA, 14 August 2026 | As part of the Sales Mission Tourism Malaysia to India Series 2 the Director General of Tourism Malaysia, Mr Mohd Amirul Rizal Abdul Rahim undertook a working visit to Bangalore to strengthen engagement with key tourism industry players and explore new opportunities to further grow the Indian market.

During the visit, Tourism Malaysia hosted a special Networking Dinner with leading industry partners who have consistently supported and promoted Malaysia in recognition of their continuous efforts and commitment in driving Malaysia’s tourism presence in India.

The dinner was attended by Mr Chua Yong Wei, Senior Private Secretary to the Honourable Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia (MOTAC); Mr Hishamuddin Mustafa, Director of Tourism Malaysia Chennai; Dato’ Aruldass, President of MITTA and representatives from LADA Langkawi.

The gathering also brought together prominent Bangalore tourism industry players, including Mr Niranjan, President of TAAI Karnataka; Mr Rakesh, CEO of Jagdish Tours; Mr Binesh of Dimaak Tours; Mr Rishab Jain of Ewol Now; and Mr Rahul of AirAsia Bangalore, all of whom have played an important role in supporting and promoting Malaysia in the Indian market.

The networking session provided an excellent platform for meaningful discussions on new opportunities to promote Malaysia particularly in experiential tourism, education tourism, nature and adventure tourism, gastronomy, as well as tapping into the growing potential of Indian transit passengers.

The Director General also took the opportunity to review the ongoing in-market billboard campaign in Bangalore which is currently in progress as part of efforts to create stronger destination awareness and increase Malaysia’s visibility among Indian travellers.

The Director General expressed his appreciation and gratitude to the industry partners for their continuous support, while emphasising the importance of forging stronger partnerships and penetrating new and emerging tourism segments.

With the strong movement of Indian travellers, particularly among the 25–40 age group, there is significant potential to promote Malaysia through more diverse, immersive and experience-driven offerings.

The working visit reflects Tourism Malaysia’s continued commitment to strengthening industry collaboration, increasing destination visibility and unlocking new opportunities to position Malaysia as a preferred destination for the next generation of Indian travellers.

-Tourism Malaysia.

Sales Mission Tourism Malaysia To India Series 2 | Chennai

 

INDIA, 13 August 2026 | The Sales Mission Tourism Malaysia to India Series 2 officially kicked off its first stop in Chennai, hosted at Hyatt Regency Chennai, bringing together Malaysia’s tourism industry players and key stakeholders from the Indian market.

Led by Mr Mohd Amirul Rizal Abdul Rahim, Director General of Tourism Malaysia, the mission brings together 40 Malaysian sellers to strengthen tourism cooperation, promote Malaysia’s diverse tourism offerings and further drive arrivals from India.

The mission began with a Press Conference attended by 75 media representatives from Chennai, providing an important platform to highlight Malaysia’s latest tourism products, experiences and opportunities for the Indian market.

The programme continued with a B2B session and networking dinner, which attracted more than 220 buyers from various tourism industry partners across Chennai. The session provided an excellent platform for Malaysian sellers and Indian travel trade partners to connect, exchange ideas, explore new business opportunities and strengthen existing partnerships.

The session was also attended by Mr K Saravan Kumar, Malaysia Consulate in Chennai; Mr Chua Yong Wei, Senior Private Secretary to the Honourable Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia (MOTAC); and Mr Hishamuddin Mustafa, Director of Tourism Malaysia Chennai.

A strong and impactful start to India Series 2, reflecting the growing interest and strong market potential for Malaysia among Indian travellers. Tourism Malaysia remains committed to strengthening industry partnerships and creating more opportunities to promote Malaysia as a preferred destination for Indian travellers.

-Tourism Malaysia.

Unlocking New Travel Opportunities With Scapia

 

INDIA, 13 August 2026 | Tourism Malaysia continues to explore new and innovative ways to connect Malaysia with India’s fast-growing travel market. During the Official Visit of the Director General of Tourism Malaysia, Mr. Mohd Amirul Rizal Abdul Rahim to India and in conjunction with the Tourism Malaysia Sales Mission to India Series 2/2026, a meeting was held with leading Indian OTA and travel-fintech company Scapia, represented by Mr. Anand Kandasai, Travel Industry Leader.

With its unique combination of travel booking and financial services, Scapia is redefining how modern Indian travellers plan, book and experience their journeys, making travel more rewarding and accessible.

The engagement also builds on Tourism Malaysia’s existing collaboration with Scapia through in-market promotional campaigns including prominent billboard activations in Chennai and Bengaluru, helping to keep Malaysia top of mind among Indian travellers.

Moving forward, the discussion explored opportunities to further ‘Make More Travel for Rewards’ through innovative travel promotions, attractive offerings and stronger engagement with Scapia’s growing traveller community.

The meeting was also attended by Mr. Hishamuddin Mustafa, Director of Tourism Malaysia Chennai; Mr. Chua Yong Wei, Private Senior Secretary to the Hon. Minister of MOTAC, and Dato’ Aruldass, President of MITTA.

Tourism Malaysia looks forward to taking this partnership to the next level and inspiring even more Indian travellers to experience the diverse destinations, culture and experiences of Malaysia Truly Asia.

-Tourism Malaysia.

Strengthening India-Malaysia Air Connectivity

 

INDIA, 13 August 2026 | As part of the Official Visit of the Director General of Tourism Malaysia, Mr. Mohd Amirul Rizal Abdul Rahim to India and in conjunction with Tourism Malaysia Sales Mission to India Series 2/2026, Tourism Malaysia held a productive meeting with IndiGo Airlines in Chennai, represented by Mr. Srinivasan Jayaseelan, Associate Director – Sales, Tamil Nadu.

The discussion explored potential collaboration opportunities, including initiatives surrounding F1 Bahrain in Sepang this October, as well as the possibility of introducing new routes from India, particularly Southern India, to Malaysia.

Tourism Malaysia continues to work closely with IndiGo Airlines to strengthen connectivity and promote Malaysia as a preferred destination for Indian travellers. IndiGo is also expected to announce a new initiative for Malaysia by the end of this year which is anticipated to contribute towards increased flight frequency and seat capacity.

The meeting was also attended by Mr. Hishamuddin Mustafa, Director of Tourism Malaysia Chennai; Mr. Chua Yong Wei, Senior Private Secretary to the Hon. Minister of MOTAC, and representatives from LADA Langkawi.

Currently, IndiGo operates flights from Chennai to Kuala Lumpur and Penang, and from Bengaluru to Langkawi.

Looking forward to stronger partnerships, greater connectivity and more Indian travellers discovering Malaysia Truly Asia!

-Tourism Malaysia.

Tourism Malaysia Strengthens India Market Engagement In Support Of Visit Malaysia 2026 Campaign Through 2027

 

CHENNAI – Tourism Malaysia continued to strengthen its presence in the Indian market through its Sales Mission Series 2, held in Chennai, Mumbai and New Delhi from 12 to 20 August 2026, reaffirming Malaysia's commitment to maintaining strong engagement with one of its most important international source markets while navigating the evolving global travel landscape.

The sales mission brought together 40 Malaysian tourism stakeholders, comprising tour operators, hoteliers and airline partners, to strengthen trade partnerships, expand business opportunities and reinforce Malaysia's position as a preferred destination for Indian travellers. The programme also served as a platform for business-to-business (B2B) engagements, networking and the development of new travel opportunities between Malaysian and Indian tourism stakeholders.

The mission was led by Mr. Mohd Amirul Rizal Abdul Rahim, Director General of Tourism Malaysia, and organised in collaboration with Batik Air, reflecting the strong publicprivate partnership in promoting Malaysia as a premier tourism destination.

-Tourism Malaysia.

Malaysia Expands Indian Outreach With Visit Malaysia 2026 Roadshow In Nashik And Sambhajinagar

 

NASHIK — Tourism Malaysia continues to strengthen its presence in the Indian market with Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) Roadshow in Nashik and Sambhajinagar from 7 to 9th July 2026. This is part of the ongoing efforts to further enhance collaboration with the Indian tourism trade partners while promoting Malaysia’s tourism offerings, unique experiences and upcoming events under the VM2026 campaign. 

The roadshow provides an important platform for travel trade partners from the state of Maharashtra to engage directly with Malaysian industry stakeholders, reinforcing business relationships and exploring new collaboration opportunities. This initiative also highlights Malaysia’s continuous commitment to delivering diverse, accessible and value-driven travel experiences tailored to Indian travellers. 

Led by Ms. Haryanty Abu Bakar, Director of Tourism Malaysia Mumbai, the 11-member delegation comprises representatives from travel agencies, airlines, and tourism product operators. “India continues to be one of Malaysia’s key source markets, and Maharashtra has shown tremendous growth potential for outbound tourism,” said Ms. Haryanty Abu Bakar. 

“Through this roadshow, we aim to enhance our partnerships with the travel trade fraternity in Nashik and Sambhajinagar, the tier-two cities in Maharashtra, while showcasing Malaysia’s diverse tourism offerings and experiences during the ongoing Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) campaign.” 

India is one of the key markets for Malaysia’s tourism industry. In 2025, Malaysia welcomed 1.5 million visitors from India, marking a 14.6 per cent increase compared to 1.3 million in 2024. From January to May 2026, over 600,000 Indian visitors travelled to Malaysia, demonstrating Malaysia’s tourism appeal to the Indian market as a premier destination. 

Air connectivity between Malaysia and India remains prominent in boosting this momentum, with airlines such as Malaysia Airlines, AirAsia, Batik Air and IndiGo, connecting 11 Indian cities including Mumbai, New Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kochi, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Trivandrum and others to Malaysia. The India-Malaysia sector currently operates more than 200 weekly direct flights, further boosting travel convenience and tourism growth between the two countries. There are currently 17 weekly direct flights operating between Mumbai and Kuala Lumpur by Malaysia Airlines and Batik Air, providing convenient direct access to Malaysia for travellers from Maharashtra. 

Tourism Malaysia remains committed to working closely with Indian travel trade partners, airlines, media, and stakeholders. By nurturing these vital relationships, we aim to elevate our market presence and drive sustainable visitor arrivals, ensuring the Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) campaign delivers unforgettable experiences and mutual growth for all involved.

-Tourism Malaysia.

Tourism Malaysia Strengthens Promotion In Rajkot And Vadodara Through Visit Malaysia 2026 Roadshow

 

RAJKOT – Tourism Malaysia Mumbai continues to strengthen its presence in the Indian market through the organisation of the Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) Roadshow in Rajkot and Vadodara from 19 to 21 May 2026. The roadshow forms part of Tourism Malaysia’s ongoing efforts to further enhance collaboration with the Indian tourism trade partners while promoting Malaysia’s tourism offerings, unique experiences and upcoming events under the Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) campaign.

The seminar is led by Ms. Haryanty Abu Bakar, Director of Tourism Malaysia Mumbai, together with delegations of 13 Malaysian tourism stakeholders, consisting of representatives from travel agencies, airlines, tourism and tourism product operators.

The roadshow provides an important platform for travel trade partners from the state of Gujarat to engage directly with Malaysian sellers, thereby reinforcing business relationships and exploring new collaboration opportunities. This initiative also highlights Malaysia’s continuous commitment to delivering diverse, accessible and value-driven travel experiences tailored to Indian travellers.

-Tourism Malaysia.

Pahang eyes Indian travellers through first tourism roadshows in New Delhi, Chennai

 

KUANTAN: The state government, for the first time, will host tourism roadshows at two major cities in India this week to attract more travellers from the country to the east coast state. 

The roadshows, which would showcase Pahang's rich cultural heritage, pristine rainforests and diverse attractions, will be held in New Delhi tomorrow and in Chennai on Sept 26. 

State Unity, Tourism and Culture Committee chairman Leong Yu Man said the programmes would focus on business-to-business networking involving India-based travel agents, tourism operators, airlines and media partners. 

"The roadshows aim to strengthen strategic cooperation between the tourism industries of Pahang and India, creating opportunities for the arrival of more visitors through well-structured holiday packages. 

"We want to position Pahang as a must-visit destination for Indian travellers in conjunction with Visit Malaysia Year 2026, while reinforcing the state's image as 'The Heart of Malaysia'," she said in a statement today. 

Leong said the initiative went beyond promoting tourism, as it would also help build connectivity, strengthen cooperation and share Pahang's unique stories with the people of India.

She said that the programme would also highlight the state as a preferred destination for the meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE), weddings and honeymoons, sporting events and niche tourism tailored to specific interests. 

Iconic tourist attractions to be showcased included Fraser's Hill, Genting Highlands and Cameron Highlands as highland retreats; Cherating and Pulau Tioman as exotic beach destinations; Taman Negara National Park, one of the world's oldest rainforests; and the newly introduced rail tourism.

-nst online.