Malaysia’s Tourism Thrives as Indian Visitor Numbers Surge Past 800,000
Visa-Free Access Drives Indian Tourist Boom in Malaysia: A New Era in Travel
Malaysia is poised to achieve a historic milestone this year by welcoming over one million Indian tourists to the country for the first time. This unprecedented surge follows the country’s decision to implement a visa-free policy for Indian travelers, which has significantly boosted tourism numbers.
As of September, a record-breaking 8.15 lakh (815,000) Indian visitors have already flocked to Malaysia, surpassing the previous all-time high of 7 lakh Indian tourists in 2019. With projections set at 1.2 million by year-end, the stage is set for a landmark achievement in the tourism sector.
This extraordinary growth comes after the High Commission of Malaysia in New Delhi introduced a visa exemption for Indian tourists in December 2023. The removal of visa barriers has ignited interest among Indian travelers, eager to explore the Southeast Asian gem. According to Tourism Malaysia, this influx has led the tourism body to raise its target from 1 million to 1.2 million Indian tourists by the close of 2024, when the visa exemption ends.
Noriah Jaafar, Director of Tourism for Western and Central India, expressed optimism about the rising numbers: “We have never achieved the figure of one million Indian tourists in Malay before, but this year we are confident we will surpass that for the first time. Post-COVID recovery in tourism has been robust, and the visa exemption has had a profound impact on both Indian and Chinese tourists.”
Malaysia: Record-Breaking Tourism and Future Goals
The strategic visa-free policy has not only attracted Indian tourists to Malay but also contributed to a surge in Chinese visitors. With over 3 million Chinese tourists visiting the country due to its geographical proximity, the dual implementation of visa exemptions for India and China is proving to be a game-changer.
Tourism sector is actively working on increasing the average stay of Indian tourists from four to seven nights. As per Jaafar, the current average Indian tourist stays for four nights, spending approximately 5,000 Ringgit (MYR), which is around INR 97,837. The organization is striving to enhance the visitor experience by encouraging Indian travelers to focus on Malaysia as a singular destination rather than part of a dual or triple itinerary.
The “Visit Malaysia 2026” initiative is another ambitious endeavor aiming to attract 35.6 million foreign tourists, with Indian tourists in Malaysia playing a pivotal role in reaching this goal. The initiative, branded under the theme of “Sustainable and Culturally Rich Destination,” will position Malaysia as a top choice for travelers seeking authenticity and cultural diversity.
“We’re focusing heavily on increasing airline connectivity between India and Malaysia. Although Malaysia Airlines has driven the current rise in Indian tourists, we’re targeting more Indian airlines to strengthen this connection,” said Jaafar.