Sri Lanka (Commonwealth Union)_ Sri Lanka and Malaysia are joining forces with a simple but powerful goal of boosting the bilateral tourism between the two nations, thereby helping people from each country discover the other. Accordingly, with the new partnership between Tourism Malaysia and Sri Lankan Airlines, these South Asian nations are aiming to boost tourist numbers and trying to create unforgettable experiences that bring cultures closer and build real, lasting connections between people. This partnership also aims to make travel easier, more exciting, and more personal for all explorers. Furthermore, with overseas travel now regaining popularity, more Sri Lankans are opting to travel abroad for vacation, shopping, family time, and even business trips. Malaysia’s combination of modern cities, cultural landmarks, and family-friendly activities is making it a popular travel destination.
Also read: Malaysia Joins the Stars—Is This the Start of an Asian Space Alliance?
To build on this growing interest, Tourism Malaysia and Sri Lankan Airlines have started a joint marketing drive. One of the major initiatives of this campaign was a familiarization tour arranged exclusively for a group of Sri Lankan journalists. Accordingly, this trip served as a major platform for these media representatives to explore several destinations in Malaysia, giving them insights into what the country will offer visitors from Sri Lanka. The journalists visited several notable locations, including Kuala Lumpur, Melaka, Putrajaya, and Genting Highlands. These locations are popular for their exclusive combination of culture, history, modern entertainment, and shopping opportunities, all of which are popular among Sri Lankan tourists.
Also read: New Book Reveals: Modi’s Life in Hiding and the Dark Truth About the Emergency!
Speaking to the visiting delegation, Solehuddin Ahmad, Deputy Director of the South Asia Unit at Malaysia’s Tourism Promotion Board, said that there has been a steady rise in Sri Lankan arrivals since the launch of Malaysia’s tourism campaign earlier this year. “While our main tourist arrivals are still from countries like China, Thailand, Singapore, and India, Sri Lanka is showing strong growth, especially in areas like family holidays, business trips, religious visits, and shopping-related travel,” Ahmad said. He added that Malaysia’s wide variety of travel experiences, from luxury malls and cultural landmarks to wellness retreats and amusement parks, makes it a great fit for Sri Lankans looking for short international holidays.
Also read: Commonwealth Union crowns Actor Napolean as the Best Father!
Deepal Perera, the Manager of Corporate Communications at SriLankan Airlines, expressed the expectation that both countries will benefit from the partnership. He noted that while Malaysia already welcomes many tourists from neighboring countries, Sri Lanka is becoming an important and growing source market. “This partnership isn’t just about promoting Malaysia in Sri Lanka,” Perera said. “We also want to encourage Malaysians to discover the natural beauty, history, and culture of Sri Lanka. Both countries have rich traditions, and we believe travelers from each nation will find value in exploring what the other has to offer.” He also said that the collaboration supports long-term goals for tourism development in both nations, with each side investing in infrastructure and services to enhance the visitor experience.
Furthermore, with the upcoming World Tourism Day on September 27, Malaysia and Sri Lanka are planning to ramp up promotional operations. Accordingly, Malaysia is actively marketing the following top destinations:
Kuala Lumpur, which is popular for its skyscrapers, retail malls, and cultural history.
- Melaka, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with centuries-old architecture and a thriving international culture.
- Putrajaya, which is Malaysia’s administrative capital, is popular for its lakes, parks, and high-rise buildings.
- Genting Highlands is renowned for its mountain resort featuring a cool climate, casinos, and theme parks.
With these new efforts, both Malaysia and Sri Lanka aim to increase two-way tourism, provide unique travel experiences, and boost people-to-people relationships. Furthermore, this joint initiative also reflects a shared ambition to make travel easier, more enjoyable, and more adventurous for visitors from both nations.
