Dhaka:Malaysia is actively working to attract more Bangladeshi travelers by promoting destinations beyond Kuala Lumpur. The country is highlighting lesser-explored areas, as well as opportunities in education, healthcare, business, and Muslim-friendly tourism, to strengthen its appeal in Bangladesh's outbound travel market.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, this initiative was showcased during a networking session organized by Tourism Malaysia Dhaka in collaboration with Malaysia's Islamic Tourism Centre (ITC) at a city hotel. The event aimed to bring together Bangladeshi tour operators, airline representatives, and tourism stakeholders to explore new travel packages and bolster bilateral tourism cooperation.
Mohd Hafiz B Mohd Shah, a senior tourism officer at Tourism Malaysia's International Promotion Division for Asia and Africa, encouraged Bangladeshi travelers to visit destinations such as Malacca and Johor Bahru. He emphasized the potential of education tourism, medical travel, second-home programs, and Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) for Bangladeshi visitors. Additionally, Shah highlighted Malaysia's halal food options, Muslim-friendly facilities, and family-oriented attractions as significant advantages for Bangladeshi holidaymakers.
Malaysia's Islamic Tourism Centre Director General Mohammad Faisal Bin Abu Suaib Khan, who joined the event virtually, noted Malaysia's long-standing reputation as the world's leading Muslim-friendly destination, as reflected in the Global Muslim Travel Index. He emphasized Malaysia's commitment to offering halal dining, prayer facilities, and culturally appropriate tourism services. The ITC chief also mentioned the availability of Bangladeshi cuisine in Malaysia, providing familiar dining choices for visitors.
Despite a 36 percent decline in visitor arrivals from Bangladesh during January-August 2026 compared to the previous year, Shah expressed optimism about the market's recovery. He cited strong air connectivity and opportunities for new tourism products as key factors. Currently, 43 direct flights connect Bangladesh and Malaysia, offering 11,361 passenger seats, with Bangladeshi carrier Novoair expected to introduce services to Malaysia in the second quarter of 2027.
Tourism Malaysia is gearing up for its participation in the 14th Bangladesh Travel and Tourism Fair (BTTF) 2026, set to take place from October 29-31 in Dhaka. Under the Visit Malaysia 2026-2027 campaign, Malaysia's pavilion will feature cultural heritage, tropical beaches, ecotourism, shopping, gastronomy, medical tourism, and MICE opportunities. The Islamic Tourism Centre will also promote Muslim-friendly tourism products and experiences.
Tourism Malaysia's involvement in BTTF 2026 is seen as a strategic move to boost Malaysia's visibility in the Bangladesh market and strengthen connections with local tourism industry players. The fair is anticipated to attract over 220 exhibitors, participants from more than 20 countries, approximately 60,000 general visitors, 2,500 trade visitors, and over 250 international and regional buyers. Tourism Malaysia hopes its presence will encourage Bangladeshi tour operators to create attractive travel packages that include destinations beyond Kuala Lumpur.