By Shakir Husain
NEW DELHI, Feb 19 (Bernama) -- Malaysia launched a major campaign to attract more Indian travellers as a leading travel fair got underway in New Delhi.
Tourism Malaysia unveiled the promotion effort to increase tourist arrivals from India by at least 25 per cent next year surpassing the 1.13 million recorded in 2024.
The launch of the "Visit Malaysia Year 2026" (VM2026) campaign in India marks "a significant chapter in our tourism journey, promising even more unforgettable experiences for travellers from India and around the world," Malaysian High Commissioner to India Datuk Muzafar Shah Mustafa told a gathering of more than 300 travel industry guests at a Tourism Malaysia networking dinner on Tuesday.
India remains a key focus of Malaysia's tourism promotion efforts as it aims to welcome 35.6 million foreign tourists in 2026 compared with 25.3 million arrivals in 2024.
"The campaign Visit Malaysia Year 2026 is not just about increasing visitors numbers -- it is about creating sustainable tourism experiences tailored to Indian travellers," Tourism Malaysia Delhi director Ahmad Johanif Mohd Ali said.
The cute mascots "Wira and Manja" in the promotional logo symbolise Malaysia's commitment to conserving the Bornean Sun Bear species.
A troupe of seven dancers flown in from Malaysia enthralled the guests with Malaysian folk performances at Tuesday's networking dinner held at the Pullman New Delhi Aerocity hotel.
The artists performed earlier on Monday during the opening ceremony of the seven-day Malaysian food and cultural festival at the same venue.
More than 60 Malaysian exhibitors including hotels, tour operators, airlines and tourism boards are participating in the three-day South Asia Travel and Tourism Exchange (SATTE) fair, which began at the Yashobhoomi India International Convention and Expo Centre on Wednesday.
Along with its popular attractions of beaches, shopping, theme parks, nature and diverse cuisine, Malaysia's promotion campaign in India has a greater focus on niche segments such as destination weddings, golf tourism and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions).
-- BERNAMA
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