The Hindu Business Line : Malaysia ties up with Srilankan to lure Indian tourists

IN an effort to attract more Indian tourists and provide greater choice to the customer, Tourism Malaysia has tied up with Srilankan airlines to offer three-night packages in Kuala Lumpur for passengers from Delhi and Mumbai. Besides, the Malaysian authorities have also eased the entry rules for Indians wanting to visit Malaysia.

The Director, Tourism Malaysia, Mr Roslan Abdullah, told Business Line that Malaysia hopes to attract at least another 2,000 Indian tourists from north India alone till March 31 this year, when the promotion is scheduled to conclude.

Incidentally, this is the first time that Malaysia Tourism has tied up with Srilankan, which offers a daily connection not only from Colombo to Kuala Lumpur but also between Delhi and Colombo. Malaysia Airlines, the national carrier of Malaysia, offers a four-times-a-week connection from Delhi to Kuala Lumpur.

While a passenger from Delhi will be charged Rs 16,999 for the package, a traveller from Mumbai will have to pay Rs 18,888. Apart from accommodation in a three-star hotel in Kuala Lumpur, the package also includes breakfast and airport transfers. Besides, Indian visitors can also upgrade to stay at a four or five-star hotel in Kuala Lumpur by paying a little extra.

Meanwhile, the Malaysian Government has now decided to give an Indian visitor holding a valid visa of Thailand or Singapore entry into the country through the Kuala Lumpur international airport irrespective of the country from which they may be arriving.

Earlier, the Malaysian Government was giving visa-on-arrival for Indian tourists who were travelling from Singapore or Bangkok to Malaysia.

Malaysia is fast becoming a favourite destination with Indians. During September-November last year, 49,700 Indians travelled to Malaysia registering a growth of 14 per cent as compared to the same period in 2002. It is estimated that 52 per cent of the Indians travelling to Malaysia do so for leisure. Besides, 37 per cent of the Indian travellers are going to Malaysia for business or meetings, incentive tours, conferences and exhibitions.