Marking its 20th consecutive participation, Tourism Malaysia made a resplendent return to South Asia’s Travel & Tourism Exchange (SATTE), held in Delhi NCR. The three-day event, spanning from 22nd to 24th February 2024, served as a testament to Malaysia’s unwavering commitment to captivate Indian travelers and uphold its position as the quintessential tourist destination in their hearts.
Amidst the bustling ambiance of SATTE, Tourism Malaysia meticulously curated its showcase to spotlight niche products tailored to the discerning Indian traveler. Emphasizing facets such as shopping extravaganzas, world-class golfing experiences, opulent luxury tourism offerings, serene soft tourism ventures, thrilling theme parks, and enchanting honeymoon packages, the Malaysian delegation left no stone unturned in presenting Malaysia as a multifaceted paradise awaiting exploration.
Furthermore, emerging segments like weddings and film-induced tourism were highlighted as alluring avenues for Indian tourists seeking distinctive experiences. With an anticipated footfall of over 35,000 trade visitors, SATTE 2024 served as a pivotal platform for forging robust partnerships between tour operators and key players within the tourism fraternity, aiming to catalyze a notable surge in Indian tourist arrivals to Malaysia.
At the helm of the Malaysian delegation stood Mr. Muhammad Akmal Hafiz Abdul Aziz, Deputy Director of Tourism Malaysia’s New Delhi Office, accompanied by a cohort of 45 esteemed organizations representing tour agents, hotel and resort operators, tourism product owners, airline operators, Tourism Selangor, and Malaysia Convention and Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB), an agency under the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia.
In tandem with its presence at SATTE 2024, Tourism Malaysia has been actively engaged in an array of promotional endeavors across the Indian market. From hosting the Malaysia Food and Cultural Festival from 5th to 11th February to its recent participation in the Outbound Travel Mart (OTM) 2024 from 8th to 10th February, both held in Mumbai, and concluding with a successful roadshow campaign spanning Bangalore, Chennai, Calcutta, and Ahmedabad from 11th to 19th February, Tourism Malaysia has demonstrated unwavering dedication towards fostering Indian tourism to Malaysian shores.
“Apart from promoting lifestyle segments, Tourism Malaysia is also leveraging the niche product segment which could be a big platform for Malaysia, especially as a preferred wedding destination from the Indian market. Additionally, we are keen to promote Malaysia as a destination of choice for film-induced tourism. A lot of incentives are being provided should one come to do their filming in Malaysia,” remarked Mr. Muhammad Akmal Hafiz Abdul Aziz.
India remains a paramount priority market for Malaysia, fortified by strong economic ties and cultural affinities. With India standing as Malaysia’s fifth largest source of tourists, the cumulative efforts have yielded substantial results, with 587,703 Indian tourist arrivals recorded between January and November 2023. In terms of air accessibility, 181 flights with 33,851 seats are offered weekly between India and Malaysia through Malaysia Airlines, Batik Air, AirAsia, and IndiGo.
In the wake of SATTE 2024, Tourism Malaysia stands poised to capitalize on the momentum, leveraging initiatives such as the visa-free policy for Indian tourists to Malaysia until 31 December 2024. Moreover, it serves as an opportune platform to galvanize momentum towards Visit Malaysia 2026, transcending borders and beckoning Indian travelers to embark on an unforgettable Malaysian odyssey.
Also, read
IndiGo Initiates Direct Mumbai-Ayodhya Flights
Watch on Youtube
