TOURISM MALAYSIA MAKES A STRONG IMPACT IN INDIA WITH A SUCCESSFUL SHOWCASE AT OTM 2025
TOURISM MALAYSIA
A CELEBRATION OF MALAYSIAN CULTURE, AND A LANDMARK MOU SIGNING FOR SPORTS TOURISM
Mumbai, – Tourism Malaysia continues to strengthen its presence in the Indian market with a series of impactful events in Mumbai, reinforcing Malaysia’s position as a preferred travel destination. The three major highlights included the Malaysia Food and Cultural Festival at JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar, Tourism Malaysia’s participation at OTM 2025, and the signing of a historic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Malaysia Sports Tourism Association and Tourism India Alliance. These initiatives mark a strategic effort to promote Malaysia’s diverse offerings ahead of Visit Malaysia Year 2026.
The prestigious events were graced by Datuk Manoharan Periasamy, Director General of Tourism Malaysia, along with Ms. Nuwal Fadhilah Ku Azmi, Director, International Promotion Division (Asia/Africa), showcasing Malaysia’s commitment to engaging with the Indian travel industry.
A Grand Culinary and Cultural Celebration
The Malaysia Food and Cultural Festival at JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar from January 27 to February 1, 2025, brought the rich flavors and traditions of Malaysia to India. Organized in collaboration with Tourism Malaysia and The St. Regis Kuala Lumpur, this event was the first international launch of the Visit Malaysia Year 2026 campaign and a debut partnership with Marriott International.
Guests indulged in an exquisite selection of authentic Malaysian dishes curated by Chef Luqman Rusman from The St. Regis Kuala Lumpur and Chef Prakash Chettiyar from JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar, while being captivated by traditional Malaysian dance performances. This immersive experience provided a glimpse into Malaysia’s vibrant culture, further solidifying Malaysia’s appeal as a culinary and experiential travel destination for Indian tourists.
Speaking at the event, Datuk Manoharan Periasamy, Director General, Tourism Malaysia, said, “The launch of Visit Malaysia Year 2026 in India through this food and cultural festival is a significant step towards strengthening our ties with Indian travelers. Through this experience, we bring a piece of Malaysia to Mumbai, inviting Indian tourists to explore the rich cultural and culinary heritage that our country has to offer.”
Tourism Malaysia’s Grand Presence at OTM 2025
Tourism Malaysia made a remarkable impact at OTM 2025, Mumbai, Asia’s leading travel trade show, with the largest pavilion at the event. Featuring a delegation of 65 sellers from Malaysia, the Malaysian delegation actively engaged with key Indian travel partners, further strengthening bilateral tourism relations.
The grand opening of the Malaysia Pavilion was led by Datuk Manoharan Periasamy, alongside His Excellency Honourable Ahmad Zuwairi Yusoff, Consul General of Malaysia in Mumbai, and Ms. Nuwal Fadhilah Ku Azmi. The participation at OTM 2025 highlighted Malaysia’s ongoing efforts to attract more Indian travelers, particularly leveraging the Visa-Free policy extended until December 2026.
Sharing her thoughts, Ms. Nuwal Fadhilah Ku Azmi, Director, International Promotion Division (Asia/Africa), said, “India is a key market for Malaysia, and with 1.1 million Indian tourists visiting Malaysia in 2024, we see immense potential for growth. With more than 45 direct flights connecting India to Malaysia, we are committed to making travel seamless and promoting Malaysia’s unique ‘Surreal Experiences’ under the Visit Malaysia Year 2026 campaign.”
