Malaysia Targets More Indian Tourists as Tourism Campaign Expands Through 2027

Malaysia is stepping up its efforts to attract more Indian travellers, with Tourism Malaysia intensifying its promotional activities across major Indian cities. The country is looking to strengthen its position as a preferred international holiday destination for Indian tourists while encouraging visitors to explore destinations beyond the usual Kuala Lumpur and Genting Highlands circuit.

Tourism Malaysia Expands Outreach Across India

As part of its latest initiative, Tourism Malaysia conducted its Sales Mission Series 2 across Chennai, Mumbai and New Delhi from August 12 to 20, 2026.

The programme brought together 47 Malaysian tourism stakeholders, including tour operators, hotels and airlines, to build stronger partnerships with India's travel trade and develop new travel opportunities for Indian tourists.

Tourism Malaysia said India remains one of its most important and fastest-growing international source markets, prompting continued investment in targeted promotional campaigns.
Also Read : Top 10 Adventure Activities in Malaysia for Indian Travelers – 2025

More Indian Tourists Are Choosing Malaysia

Malaysia's growing focus on the Indian market comes after strong visitor growth following the introduction of visa-free travel for Indian nationals in December 2023.

In 2025, Malaysia welcomed more than 1.5 million visitors from India, placing India among the country's top five international source markets. Tourism Malaysia is aiming to build on this momentum through its 2026 and 2027 promotional activities.

Earlier this year, Tourism Malaysia said it was targeting around 33% growth in Indian visitor arrivals, with expectations that arrivals could surpass two million.

Malaysia Wants Travellers to Go Beyond Kuala Lumpur

One of the key goals of the campaign is to encourage Indian tourists to discover more of Malaysia rather than limiting trips to popular destinations such as Kuala Lumpur and Genting Highlands.

Tourism Malaysia is promoting destinations including:

• Langkawi – beaches, island escapes and luxury resorts

• Penang – heritage, street food and culture

• Sabah – wildlife, nature and adventure

• Sarawak – rainforests and indigenous culture

• Johor – family attractions and shopping

The country is also highlighting experiences such as adventure tourism, gastronomy, shopping, family holidays, destination weddings and MICE travel.

Strong Air Connectivity Supports Growth

Another major advantage for Malaysia is its strong air connectivity with India.

Tourism Malaysia reported more than 190 direct flights per week, providing over 37,000 seats weekly between India and Malaysia. Earlier figures from Tourism Malaysia also indicated more than 200 weekly direct flights connecting the two countries.

Major Indian cities connected to Malaysia include Mumbai, New Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kochi, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Amritsar and Thiruvananthapuram.

Visa-Free Travel Continues for Indian Travellers

Indian passport holders can currently benefit from Malaysia's visa waiver, which has been extended until December 31, 2026, allowing eligible Indian nationals to visit for up to 30 days for tourism, business, social or transit purposes. Travellers must meet Malaysia's entry requirements, including passport validity, a confirmed return ticket, accommodation details and submission of the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) before arrival.

Visit Malaysia Campaign Extended Through 2027

Malaysia's tourism push is also set to continue beyond 2026. The Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign has been extended through the end of 2027, giving the country additional time to promote its attractions and strengthen international visitor numbers.

For Indian travellers, this could mean more travel packages, airline promotions and destination-focused campaigns in the coming months.

What This Means for Indian Travellers

Malaysia's growing focus on India could make the destination even more attractive for Indian holidaymakers. With visa-free access continuing through 2026, extensive flight connectivity and increasing promotional activity, travellers can expect more options for holidays ranging from short city breaks to island escapes and family vacations.

The latest campaign also signals that Malaysia wants Indian tourists to stay longer and explore more regions of the country rather than visiting only its most famous attractions.