India and Malaysia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen bilateral ties and cooperation in the field of tourism.
The MoU was signed on Aug 20 between Minister of Tourism and Culture from India Ganjendra Singh Shekhawat and Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture of Malaysia Y B Dato Sri Tiong King Sing.
The main objectives of the MoU, among others, are:
promotion and marketing of tourism products and services;
expansion in the field of tourism research, training and development, including exchange programmes;
encourage investment in tourism infrastructure, facilities, products and services;
exchanging information in the field of medical tourism and encouraging stakeholders to promote the product;
business tourism, which includes meetings, incentives, conferences, exhibitions (MICE);
promoting cooperation between tourism stakeholders, tour operators and travel agents;
promotion and development of community-based tourism and eco-tourism and responsible tourism.
Malaysia is one of the important inbound tourist source markets for India.
In the year 2022, over 250,000 Malaysian tourists visited India. Malaysia since December last year grants a 30-day visa-free entry for Indians, joining competing countries like Thailand and Sri Lanka.
India on the other hand is Malaysia’s fifth largest source of tourists. Malaysia recorded 14.4 million tourist arrivals between January and September 2023 with 472,479 from India.
India and Malaysia have daily flights operated by carriers like Malaysia Airlines, Batik Air, AirAsia, and IndiGo.
“It is hoped that the Memorandum of Understanding will give further fillip to tourist arrivals from Malaysia,” the Indian government said in a statement.
