Capitalizing on the increasing interest from Indian tourists towards its destination and to arrest the current downturn, Malaysia has rolled out a new tourism package – One Malaysia, Endless Experience – to achieve an ambitious target of Rs 6, 00,000 visitors from India in 2009 as compared with 5, 59,000 visitors in 2008.The Malaysian tourism board is in talks with number of air carriers in India to increase their services per week/annually.
The package includes a holiday package of Rs 17,000 for travel from anywhere in India to Kuala Lumpur. The four days/three nights package includes return airfare and accommodation while for beyond Kuala Lumpur to a few other locales and other exotic destinations, the package has been fixed at Rs 19,500 , said Data Mirza Mohammad Taiyab Beg, director –general of Malaysian Tourism Promotion Board.
Also, the tourism board has also come out with new packages including for wedding,honeymoon,driving apart from offering Indian senior citizens Malaysia My second Home where Indian senior citizens, who comply with the terms and conditions/rules, can stay for 10 years and enjoy their retired life in the country ,said NgYen,tourism minister of Malaysia.
Addressing reporters on Saturday she said,” We see India is one of the potential countries for growth of Malaysian tourism. From a mere 30,000 visitors in 1998, the number has gone up sizably to 5, 50,000 in 2008, growing at a CAGR of 20% or more.”
Though India accounts for only 3% of total tourists flow into Malaysia, but it is growing every year.” With the strong promotion activities, new and cost-effective packages, we expect more and more Indians to visit our country in the years to come. We have come out with Indian-specific packages to have 6, 00,000 visitors with a revenue potential of over $500 million in2009,” she said. Till the first week of August, 2009, 3, 34,000 Indians visited the country and we hope to achieve the target, she added.
According to Beg, the One Malaysia – India Connect campaign aimed at not only strengthening the ties between both the countries but also increasing the flow of tourists from India, investment and cultural exchanges between both the countries.”Under the Malaysia holiday package, the tourism boar has provided a seamless travel opportunity form five cities – such as Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderbabad and Bangalore – to any place in Malaysia. The package comes with the support from Malaysian Airlines and hospitality partners, he added.
The tourism board has positioned new products such as rainforest excursion, diving holidays, and soft adventure activities, fly and drive options to woo more tourists from India.
“As part of this initiative .Air Asia has agreed to increase its number of services a week from seven flights to 14 flights.Similarly, Malaysina Airlines is also looking at increasing its number of weekly services from the Indian destinations. We will also try to make other operators to increase the number of flight services on weekly basis,”the tourism minister added.
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