Tourists from India among largest arrivals to Malaysia last year: Tourism Ministry

NST

KUALA LUMPUR: Visitors from India were among Malaysia's top tourist draws last year, said Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Nazri Aziz.

He said with 722,141 arrivals, tourists from India were one of the country's top 10 visitors in 2015.

The e-visa implementation for Indian tourists which began April 15, Nazri said, is hoped to increase revenue in tourism.

"With the e-visa, that will allow them to stay in the country for 30 days.

"We are hoping not only to increase the number of Indian tourists to Malaysia but also to extend the average length of their stay which would contribute to increasing Malaysia's tourism revenue," he said before launching the MyVaisakhi Fest here today.

Organised by the Tourism and Culture Ministry and Malaysian Punjabi Chambers of Commerce and Industries (MPCCI), the event, now in its second year, gained much attention from tourists both foreign and local.

"Last year the event received over 6,000 visitors including tourists.

"Although it could still be considered a new tourism product for Malaysia, Vaisakhi as a celebration has garnered a lot of attention from the tourists hence we are expecting more to join us this year," Nazri said.

Present at the event were Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S Subramaniam, MPCCI president Datuk Daljit Singh Dhaliwal and former MIC president Datuk Seri S Samy Vellu.