“For 2013, we are targetting 7,80,000 tourists from India to Malaysia while our overall tourism targets are to achieve 36 million tourist arrivals and RM168 billion (approx. USD55 billion) in tourist receipts by the year 2020.

India is our priority and Malaysia would market its potential in markets such as Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata,” he added.

As of now, the country receives maximum visitors from Singapore (about four million per annum), Indonesia (1.6 million) and Thailand ( 1.2 million). In terms of tourist arrivals and income receipts, India is at number six and among

In the year ahead, Tourism Malaysia will promote high-end tourism segments such as spas, eco-tourism, golf and exotic destinations. Talking about the different segments of travellers that are doing the rounds, he pointed out, “We see mostly families coming to Malaysia. Big entourages have come with Indian weddings, which have mostly been held on beaches of Malaysia. Indians also come for F1 – our leg is in the first quarter of the year from March 21-22. Then there is the MotoGP that happens in the last quarter of the year. Last year, we promoted MotoGP with Mahindra Holidays among their members. We did online promotions and 129 people from India came to the event.” Emphasising on the ease of visa processing for Indian travellers, he revealed Tourism Malaysia is hopeful of opening more VFS offices in Tier-II cities in the country.