Malaysia is gearing up for a remarkable tourism milestone this year, projecting 1.5 million visitors from India—a surge powered by strong air connectivity and the country’s generous visa-free entry for Indian travellers.
According to Malaysian High Commissioner to India Datuk Muzafar Shah Mustafa, India remains one of Malaysia’s most vital tourism markets, currently ranking fifth in total arrivals. Tourism Malaysia’s latest data reinforces this momentum, showing average monthly arrivals from India consistently crossing the 100,000 mark.
Speaking at a special travel industry event in New Delhi promoting Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026), Muzafar highlighted the growing love Indian travellers have for Malaysia’s vibrant cities, tropical islands, and iconic beaches. Over 150 representatives from airlines and the tourism sector attended the gathering.
As of October, Malaysia recorded 1.3 million Indian tourists, and officials are confident that the year-end figure will reach at least 1.5 million, said Ahmad Johanif Mohd Ali, director of Tourism Malaysia’s New Delhi office. For 2025, the target rises to 2.5 million as part of the ambitious VM2026 campaign, which aims to welcome 47 million international visitors in 2026—up from 37.9 million in 2024.
Malaysia-India travel continues to thrive on the back of 230+ weekly flights, operated by carriers including Malaysia Airlines, AirAsia, Batik Air, IndiGo, and Air India. Connectivity will further expand this month as Malaysia Airlines launches a daily Thiruvananthapuram service, boosting weekly seat capacity from 43,000 to over 45,000.
To fuel this growth, Malaysia has extended its visa-exemption policy for Indian tourists until the end of 2026, reinforcing its commitment to deepen ties with one of its fastest-growing tourism markets.
