Sri Lanka, Malaysia bolster leisure travel partnership

Colombo, June 30 (Daily Mirror) - Strengthening tourism ties between the two nations, Tourism Malaysia and SriLankan Airlines have embarked on a joint promotion drive aimed at increasing leisure travel between Sri Lanka and Malaysia, with both countries eager to showcase their diverse attractions to each other’s travellers.

More Sri Lankans are now seeking overseas holidays for leisure, shopping, family vacations, and corporate events, creating fresh opportunities for destinations across the region. Malaysia, with its dynamic mix of modern cityscapes, cultural landmarks, and family-friendly attractions, has emerged as a preferred choice among Sri Lankan travellers.

In response to this trend, the two organisations have launched a joint initiative aimed at showcasing Malaysia’s diverse tourism offerings tailored for Sri Lankan holidaymakers.

As part of this collaboration, SriLankan Airlines recently hosted a familiarisation tour for a group of Sri Lankan media representatives, giving them firsthand experience of Malaysia’s range of travel attractions. 

The tour was designed to highlight destinations that combine history, culture, modern leisure, and family-friendly entertainment, while positioning Malaysia as a preferred holiday destination for Sri Lankans.

Addressing the media delegation from Sri Lanka, Deputy Director of the South Asia Unit at the Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board, Solehuddin Ahmad, highlighted a steady increase in tourist arrivals from Sri Lanka since the launch of the "Visit Malaysia" campaign in February 2025.

“While China, Thailand, Singapore, and India continue to be our largest source markets, we’re witnessing promising growth from Sri Lanka, particularly in segments such as family holidays, corporate travel, religious tourism, and retail-focused visits,” he noted. 

Ahmad added that Malaysia’s diverse attractions, ranging from luxury shopping and theme parks to cultural landmarks and wellness retreats have positioned the country as an increasingly popular destination for Sri Lankan travellers seeking short-haul international getaways.

Meanwhile, Deepal Perera, Manager of Corporate Communications at SriLankan Airlines, said that the partnership held significant promise for two-way tourism growth. He pointed out that while Malaysia traditionally attracts visitors from China, Thailand, Singapore, and India, Sri Lanka is steadily emerging as an important market, particularly for family vacations, shopping getaways, and corporate events.

Perera further added that the collaboration aims not only to promote travel from Sri Lanka to Malaysia but also to encourage Malaysians to visit Sri Lanka. Both countries, he said, were investing in the development of their tourism infrastructure, providing new opportunities for travellers to explore each other’s cultures, heritage, and culinary traditions.

As World Tourism Day approaches on September 27, 2025, both Tourism Malaysia and SriLankan Airlines are intensifying their promotional efforts to draw greater numbers of tourists. Among the destinations being promoted, Kuala Lumpur, Melaka, Putrajaya, and Genting Highlands stand out for their distinct appeal.

Kuala Lumpur, the nation’s bustling capital, continues to be a favourite among tourists for its dynamic blend of modern skyscrapers, shopping malls, and cultural landmarks, while Melaka, a UNESCO World Heritage city, offers visitors a glimpse into Malaysia’s rich colonial past through its historic streets, ancient architecture, and multicultural influences.

In addition, Putrajaya, the administrative capital, charms visitors with its impressive cityscape of contemporary architecture, tranquil lakes, and landscaped gardens.

Genting Highlands also remains a popular choice for both families and leisure seekers, renowned for its cool climate, entertainment complexes, theme parks, and casinos set amid a mountain resort backdrop.