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Malaysia plans e-visa for Indian tourists

Special Correspondent

Bangalore: With increased tourist arrivals in Malaysia from India, particularly from Chennai, Bangalore, Kochi and Hyderabad, Malaysia is working out modalities to issue electronic visa (e-visa). The announcement is to be made this week, according to Mirza Mohammad Taiyab Beg, Deputy Director General, Tourism Malaysia.

On the eve of the launch of "Visit Malaysia 2007" promotion, Mr. Mirza told presspersons that authorised travel agents in Bangalore and other cities will be able to provide the e-visa. At present, visa applications are routed to the Chennai Consulate.

E-visa is being planned to increase the number of tourist arrivals from India, for which Tourism Malaysia has embarked on a Rs. 12-crore campaign here. India has moved to the 9th position among the countries that recorded maximum tourist arrivals. It was in the 10th position last year.

In 2005, the number of Indian arrivals in Malaysia exceeded 2.10 lakhs and the country is targeting 3.5 lakh visitors next year, when Malaysia celebrates its golden jubilee, he said.

Mr. Mirza said the Malaysian Tourism Ministry has identified eight regions in the world that will spur tourism growth in Malaysia, and that India is one among them.

International tourist arrivals touched 15.7 million in 2004, an increase of 29.7 per cent. And after manufacturing, tourism moved to the second spot in terms of revenue generated, he said.

Malaysian Airlines is also looking at growth areas in India and Bangalore, according to Blasius Binjua, area manager of the airlines.

"There is demand for flights from Bangalore and we will have to look at tapping that potential," he said.

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