Tourism Malaysia has appointed Haryanty Abu Bakar as Director, Tourism Malaysia’s office in Mumbai.
In her new role, she will lead Malaysia’s tourism promotion and market development efforts across Western and Central India, as well as the Maldives.
Haryanty brings extensive experience across international and domestic tourism markets. She previously served as Director of Tourism Malaysia in Sabah, where she contributed to positioning the destination as a leading nature and adventure hub. Prior to that, she held the role of Deputy Director in Jakarta, strengthening trade partnerships and driving inbound tourism from Indonesia.
In her current capacity, Haryanty will lead strategic initiatives to position Malaysia as a preferred destination for Indian travellers, highlighting the country’s diverse offerings, from vibrant cityscapes and luxury shopping to tranquil beaches, family-friendly attractions, and rich cultural heritage. With improved connectivity and tailored travel experiences, Malaysia continues to offer exceptional value and memorable journeys for visitors from India.
Malaysia recorded 42.2 million international visitor arrivals in 2025, marking an 11.2 per cent increase over 2024. India remains a key source market, contributing significantly to this growth as the destination gears up for Visit Malaysia 2026. The continuation of visa-free entry for Indian nationals has further boosted accessibility and travel confidence.
Connectivity between India and Malaysia continues to strengthen, with 237 weekly direct flights from 14 Indian cities, offering over 43,000 seats to gateways including Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Langkawi. Since the introduction of visa-free entry in December 2023, Indian arrivals have grown by 15.8 per cent, surpassing 1.5 million visitors in 2025.
