We are looking into the prospects of this direction.
More than 100,000 Russian citizens visited Malaysia in 2023. This is reported by the editorial staff of Profi.Travel was told by Zulkifli Bin Mohamed, Deputy Director of the Tourist office at the Malaysian Embassy in Moscow. On Malaysia’s tourism prospects in He looks at Russia in 2024 with even greater optimism.
— 100,000 visitors from Is Russia a lot or a little for Malaysia?
— This is the highest result for the entire time of cooperation in the field of tourism between our countries and one of the best results among European countries. Although Russia occupies the 16th place in the overall table, the first places belong to our neighbors in the region, which is natural — Singapore, Indonesia, and China. In terms of the volume of tourist traffic from the European part, the United Kingdom is in the lead, Germany is in second place, France is in third place, and then Russia is in fourth place.
To be precise, according to our data, the number of arrivals from Russia’s travel to Malaysia in 2023 amounted to 109,689 people. While in 2022, only 33,003 were recorded. An increase of several times! And we are sure that this is not the limit.
— Which places do Russian tourists prefer to visit?
— First of all, this is Langkawi Island. It is known for its stunning beaches and clear sea. This is really the perfect place for those who are looking for a tropical paradise. In addition, Langkawi is a duty-free trade zone, and Russian tourists like to combine leisure with shopping.
Secondly, Penang. There are also opportunities for beach holidays on this island, and Georgetown, the capital of Penang, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its rich cultural traditions, street art and well-preserved colonial architecture.
And, of course, Kuala Lumpur. The capital of Malaysia attracts guests with its modern infrastructure, iconic landmarks such as the Petronas Towers, vibrant urban life and a variety of gastronomic pleasures.
— It’s no secret that convenient air transportation is the basis for the growth of tourist traffic. What options are currently available to Russian travel companies and tourists?
— I would like to draw your attention to the flight from Dubai to Langkawi and Penang, Fly Dubai Airlines. It started in February. Turkmenistan Airlines has also recently launched flights to the Malaysian capital via Ashgabat. In addition, AirAsia X plans to launch direct flights to Kuala Lumpur from Almaty (Kazakhstan) as early as March 14 this year. There are 4 scheduled flights per week with departures on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. The new route is expected to boost trade, tourism and educational ties between Malaysia and Kazakhstan.
In general, despite the fact that there are no direct flights, there are many flight options: from excellent low-cost airlines to luxury air transportation. Air Arabia, Etihad, Oman Air, Qatar Airlines and many others fly to Kuala Lumpur. You can choose any one according to your taste and budget.
— What has changed in Malaysia’s tourism infrastructure in recent years? What new points of attraction have appeared for tourists? What is the situation with hotels in resort areas?
— Resorts in Malaysia offer a wide range of accommodation options — it all depends on the preferences of tourists and the budget for the holiday. Of course, new hotels are also being built. By 2025, it is planned to open, for example, Conrad Kuala Lumpur, the first Kempinski hotel in the country, as well as the Hilton DoubleTree in Damai Laut, Perak. In 2023, the second hotel of the Avani chain opened. The largest Fairmont Kuala Lumpur Hotel with 690 rooms will also be opened soon.
Other major international brands represented in Malaysia include the 180-room Hotel Indigo Kuala Lumpur on the Park, the first Malaysian Kimpton Hotel in Kuala Lumpur, The Nautilus Resort in Langkawi and the Hyatt Regency Kuala Lumpur. The hotel sector is planned to be developed further.
— What is your priority in the development of tourism cooperation between our countries? What kind of support can Russian tour operators count on?
— Our goal is to increase the attractiveness of Malaysia for Russian tourists and, of course, to achieve an increase in the tourist flow. Various strategies will be used for this, including the use of digital platforms, social networks and participation in tourist events. We expect that the number of arrivals from Russia will increase by 30% in 2024 compared to 2023. The terms of cooperation and support options for tour operators are individual for each case, we discuss them directly with our partners.
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