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Indian Travel Agency Readying ‘Visit Malaysia’ Package

India attracted 3.4 million tourists last year, confirming its position as one of the world's top five tourism destinations.
But as incredible as India is, a change is in store - as far as the outflow of tourism rupees are concerned. One of India's top travel agencies is trying to wrap up a "Visit Malaysia" package.
Minar Travels (India) Pvt Ltd, a well-diversified New Delhi-based destination management company with established links with many parts of the world, has set its eye on the Malaysian market.
Managing director H.S. Duggal said his company, which expanded into the outbound market last year, has placed Malaysia high on its "to do" list.
"Malaysia offers a steady tourism market, with its world class facilities. Indian tourists will like what they see here and I am confident that Malaysia can be a top tourism destination for India," he said in an interview during his recent trip here to attend the PATA Conference.
Duggal, who made his maiden trip to Kuala Lumpur when he attended the recent PATA Travel Mart 2005, said about four million Indians travelled overseas each year, mainly to South-East Asia, with Australia and Britain also fast catching up.
With the Indian outbound market growing at about 10% annually, Malaysia would stand to benefit with more tie-ups with India, he said.
"There is a large and affluent Indian middle class now, due to the IT boom in our country. Many are thinking of varied overseas holiday destinations.
"With convenient air links between Indian cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Kol-katta and Malaysia, and attractive tour packages, more Indians will head here. Malaysian tourism advertisements are also proving to be very catchy," he reckoned.
Duggal said Minar Travels was currently working on specific tour packages for the Malaysian market. These include seven- to 10-day packages involving also Singapore, with seven nights spent in Malaysia.
"The plan is to despatch Indian tourists to Kuala Lumpur, Genting Highlands, Penang and Langkawi. Language is not a problem for Indians here, as English is widely spoken. Besides, Indian food is also easily available here," he added.
While in Kuala Lumpur, Duggal consulted fellow Indian citizen Pardeep Batra, who is operating a chain of Spice Garden restaurants specialising in North and South Indian cuisine in Genting Highlands, Bukit Bintang, Bangsar and Subang Jaya, resulting in a unique link-up between Minar Travels and Spice Garden.
"We are working on a tailor-made package, in which Indian tourists will have their lunch and dinner at the Spice Garden chain. I tasted the food and it was just great," said Duggal, who attended the PATA meet as one of the 704 "seller" delegates representing 307 travel organisations from 37 countries, with deals discussed with 375 "buyers" from 339 organisations from 54 countries.
Duggal said Indian tourists spent an average of US$150 (RM555) daily on food, shopping and lodging, adding that this was more than enough for a nice holiday in Malaysia.
He said Minar Travels, which handled 30,000 international tourists each year, was also looking for a suitable Malaysian travel firm to act as its local agent.
Batra, who also operates the Pashupati Nath Ge Tours & Travels firm in New Delhi, said based on his experience of bringing Indian tourists to Malaysia, Duggal's planned ventures here was poised for success.
The Eagle State at Eagle Square in Kuah, Langkawi. The island is to be one of the attractions of the tour package for Indian tourists to Malaysia.
"Minar is a reputable firm in India and they have wide travel connections. I believe they will be very successful in their link-up with Malaysia," Batra said.

2005-10-23