Tourism Malaysia Organises Travel Updates To Enhance India Arrivals

The North and West of India recently played host to the Malaysia Travel Update with local agents interacting with Malaysia's travel trade delegation visiting the cities of Pune, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, New Delhi and Kolkata. The delegation, led by Manoharan, director, Tourism Malaysia, comprised a group of 35 top tour operators and hoteliers. The workshop ideally timed commenced from Pune and culminated at Kolkata. This was the first time that a workshop was organised in Pune and Ahmedabad.

The aim of the workshop was not only to augment the current array for Indian travel agents promoting Malaysia but also enhance the potential of Malaysia as a preferred MICE destination. This platform was also suited for those who were interested in promoting niche segments of Malaysia. The one-day Travel Mart in each city was kicked off with a destination presentation that clued in the Indian agents on the salient features of Malaysia, the attractions for the Indian outbound tourist and the amazing and affordable packages packed to the hilt with activity and entertainment.

This was followed by a free flow workshop that enabled the agents of both countries to understand mutual requirements and negotiate amicable and beneficial deals to contribute to the arrival figures in Malaysia. The workshop was followed by a special evening for the corporates in each city. The Indian arrivals to Malaysia for the year 2004 stood at 180,000. An average stay of the Indian to Malaysia has augmented from seven-nights to nine-nights. The Indian contribution for the Malaysian MICE arrivals in the year 2001 was a paltry 7351 when the total arrivals were 143,513 which in the year 2003 grew to 18,608, a 153 per cent increase making India as the eight largest contributors to the total Malaysian MICE arrivals, ahead of UK and Germany. The workshop also saw special product update of new destination like Timon Island, Sabah and Sarawak in Malaysia.