Tourism Malaysia Wins The Heart Of India Travellers

By M.Saraswathi NEW DELHI, Nov 30 (Bernama) -- Tourism Malaysia, which is targeting to attract 800,000 footfalls from India in 2014, won the Conde’Nast Traveller Favourite Emerging Overseas Destination award for 2013 from Conde Nast Traveller India. "It’s indeed an honour to be awarded the Conde’Nast Traveller Favourite Emerging Overseas Destination. What makes it special is the fact that readers made the choice. "I would classify "The Conde’Nast Traveller" reader as a connoisseur of luxury and fine travel; hence it’s almost like an endorsement," Tourism Malaysia Director (Mumbai) Manoharan Periasamy told Bernama after receiving the award. A total of 700,000 Indians travelled to Malaysia last year and the number is expected to touch 780,000 in 2013. Conde Nast Traveller India is a travel magazine that gives its readers comfortable and stylish travel options. From travel news, new hotel openings and five-star packages, to unique travel stories and experiences, the magazine is a one-stop shop for those on-the-go. Elaborating further, he said Malaysia had always been featured on top of an Indian tourist’s list of countries to travel to with Langkawi and Penang being the most favourite destination, besides Kuala Lumpur. "For adventure seekers, Kota Kinabalu and Kuching are much sought after," he said. Tourism Malaysia, he said has been focusing its marketing efforts on attracting the experiential travellers to Malaysia’s rainforests, beautiful national parks and adventure sports. "Indians are now looking at Malaysia in a new light, not just at the Petronas Twin Towers but also at spa resorts to golf, weddings and high-end luxury holidays," he said. Hence, going forward, Tourism Malaysia aims to promote these segments. "We intend to tap the niche luxurious travelers," he said, adding that close proximity between the two countries is an added advantage, especially for weddings. Malaysia, he said was fast emerging as one of the most hip and happening wedding destinations in the world. "Malaysia has a gorgeous coastline that entails numerous islands and beach resorts. Malaysia can prove to be a perfect beach wedding destination," he said. Manoharan said several other factors, such as delectable cuisine and the melting pot of cultures that Malaysia offered, were crucial in marketing the wedding segment effectively. -– BERNAMA