TravTalk India Online Magazine
Ahmad Johanif Mohd Ali, Director, Tourism Malaysia’s office in New Delhi, in an exclusive interview with TRAVTALK, outlines Malaysia’s efforts to diversify its appeal and enhance connectivity, targeting 1.02 million Indian arrivals by 2026.
Janice Alyosius
Malaysia is trying to attract more Indian tourists and establish itself as a premier holiday destination, says
Ahmad Johanif Mohd Ali,
Director, Tourism Malaysia’s office in New Delhi. “Our vision is to get more Indian tourists visiting Malaysia. MICE is one of the things that we have concentrated on in recent years. We have great venues to host Indian weddings and hence we are also targeting the wedding segment from India,” he said.
Furthermore, he explained Malaysia’s new tourism initiative targeting the adventure enthusiasts, particularly divers. “We would like to introduce diving for all Indian tourists,” he revealed. He elaborated on Malaysia’s allure for divers, citing Sipadan Island as a diver’s paradise and emphasised on the country’s role as a favoured destination for PADI courses.
Discussing incentives for promoting Malaysia, Mohd Ali disclosed various packages designed to entice Indian travel agents and companies, ranging from cultural performances during dinners to complimentary sightseeing tours for larger groups.
He highlighted Malaysia’s appeal as a filming destination, noting significant incentives provided through its film industry bodies. “We give back up to 35 per cent of what companies spend in Malaysia for filming,” he shared.
Revealing Malaysia’s ambitious goal of welcoming 1.02 million Indian tourists by 2026, he said, “Based on the first quarter arrivals from India, we are confident of surpassing this target.” He attributed this confidence to eased visa regulations and increased flight connectivity between India and Malaysia. “The government is looking to extend the visa free entry for Indians to get more tourists because we are celebrating our ‘Visit Malaysia 2026’.”
Emphasising on Malaysia’s unique cultural diversity, he informed, “Only in Malaysia can you experience such a vibrant mix of Malay, Chinese, and Indian cultures.” He noted that this cultural amalgamation extends to the cuisine, which offers a distinct flavor profile appreciated by Indians.
Mohd Ali highlighted collaborations with airlines like Malaysian Airlines, AirAsia, and Batik Air to enhance accessibility from India to Malaysia. He underlined the opening of new flight routes to tier II cities in India. “We have about 1.8 million seat capacity from India to Malaysia. We are confident to get at least 1.1 million tourists from India because the accessibility is increasing. Batik Air is planning to fly Chandigarh in September,” he said.
Inviting Indian travellers to explore beyond Kuala Lumpur, he said, “In recent years, there has been a deliberate effort to encourage Indian travellers to explore other Malaysian gems such as Langkawi, Desaru Coast and Sabah. This strategic shift aims to diversify tourist experiences beyond the capital city.”
Mohd Ali also highlighted Malaysia’s proactive strategies to enhance its appeal to Indian tourists. “We are currently intensifying our efforts with collaborative roadshows involving airlines. In addition, we are gearing up for a dedicated wedding roadshow where Malaysan suppliers, including hoteliers and wedding planners, will interact with their counterparts in India.”
