Boost in Malaysian tourists to India after visa rule eased
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Malaysian tourist applications to India are expected to increase by 20 per cent next year following the lifting of a rule imposing a two-month gap between visits on Malaysian tourists.
Malaysian Indian Tour and Travel president K Thangavelu said the number of tourist visas issued had risen by about 10 per cent each year since 2009, despite the restriction.
“So far this year, about 160,000 Indian tourist visas have been issued, which accounted for 90 per cent of the total Indian visas issued.
“With the regulations lifted, we expect an increase of between 15 per cent and 20 per cent of tourist visa applications.”
The restriction, which was relaxed three days ago, had been enforced in November 2009 following the Mumbai terrorist attacks.
India’s Deputy High Commissioner to Malaysia Aseem R. Mahajan had said other tourist visa application procedures would remain.
Malaysian Indian Association secretary-general S Murugesan called the move timely, saying it would greatly benefit locals who had relatives in India.
“During the restriction, some who had gone to India on holiday could not go back for urgent family matters, which came up within 60 days,” he added.
