Malaysia Expects 1.5 Million Tourist Arrivals from India This Year
Malaysia is gearing up for an impressive tourism milestone, expecting 1.5 million visitors from India by the end of 2025—a surge driven by stronger air connectivity and the government’s continued visa-free entry policy for Indian travellers.
Malaysian High Commissioner to India, Datuk Muzafar Shah Mustafa, highlighted that India remains one of Malaysia’s most influential tourism markets, currently standing as the fifth-largest source of international arrivals. According to Tourism Malaysia, over 100,000 Indian tourists are arriving every month, reflecting a steady rise in demand.
“We are delighted year after year to see more Indian travellers discovering Malaysia—from our vibrant cities and serene islands to our white sandy beaches,” the High Commissioner shared during a Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) promotional event in New Delhi. The gathering welcomed 150 representatives from airlines and the tourism sector, reaffirming the shared commitment to enhancing bilateral tourism flows.
As of October, Malaysia has already welcomed 1.3 million visitors from India, and the country is confident about achieving 1.5 million arrivals by December, said Ahmad Johanif Mohd Ali, Director of Tourism Malaysia’s New Delhi office. Looking ahead, the VM2026 campaign targets 2.5 million Indian tourists in 2025, contributing to Malaysia’s broader ambition of drawing 47 million international visitors by 2026, up from 37.9 million recorded in 2024.
A key driver behind this upward trend is the robust Malaysia–India air network, with over 230 weekly flights operated by Malaysia Airlines, AirAsia, Batik Air, Air India, and IndiGo. This month, Malaysia Airlines is further boosting capacity by launching a daily service to Thiruvananthapuram, increasing weekly seat availability from 43,000 to over 45,000 seats between the two nations.
To sustain momentum, Malaysia has also extended visa-free entry for Indian tourists until the end of 2026, reinforcing its commitment to welcoming travellers from one of Asia’s fastest-growing outbound markets.