Tourism Malaysia sees 600,000 Indian arrivals in 2009

Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board (MTPB) is targeting a modest growth of 9 per cent in Indian arrivals to Malaysia at 600,000 this year from 550,738 arrivals last year.

The outbound traffic from India to Malaysia is anticipated to be hit severely following the financial meltdown resulting in fewer corporate and leisure movement into the island country from India.

Zulkefi Sharif, director, international marketing division (South and West Asia and Africa) said, "Our original target was much higher than the set 600,000 for 2009. Indians constituted 2.5 per cent of our total foreign arrivals last year, which stood at 22.5 million. We are not sure for how long can this positive growth from India will last."

The country saw a growth of 7 per cent last year in foreign tourist inflow at 22.5 million as compared to 21 million recorded in the previous year to that. According to the board however, this year the inflow will be subdued with only 20 million arrivals expected.

"The inflow from far of countries including the US and from the Europe will be in the negative. India, which is the second largest market after China outside the Asean region will still be positive", said a senior executive from the tourism board.