RESTORE MUMBAI, DELHI FLIGHTS, AIRASIA TOLD
Image : Business Standard
AirAsia should enhance connectivity and promote tourism between Malaysia and India by restoring flights to Mumbai and New Delhi, says India's High Commissioner to Malaysia Vijay K. Gokhale.
He said suspension of the Mumbai and New Delhi flights by AirAsia X, AirAsia's long-haul affiliate, since March, has impacted Malaysia's aim of transforming itself as a tourism hub in the Asian region.
Gokhale said Malaysia received about 693,000 Indian tourists last year, a 10 per cent growth from 2010.
"We've been enjoying the 10 per cent growth for the past five years. If this continues, we can have one million Indian tourists to Malaysia by 2015.
"Following the flight suspension, neighbouring countries like Singapore and Thailand are becoming more popular among Indian tourists," he said.
Gokhale said before AirAsia X stopped flying to Mumbai and New Delhi, Malaysia emerged as one of the most favourite destinations for Indian travellers mainly due to its first-class tourist facilities, affordability and exciting tourist spots.
He said connectivity must be enhanced for better passenger movements between the two countries, adding that among Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand, Malaysia has the least flight frequencies to India.
"Besides Malaysia, India is also affected, as we at the High Commission are seeing a significant drop in the number of Indian tourists visas issued for Malaysians in the past nine months," he said.
He said the demand for the two destinations was immensely high.
21/08/2012 : Business Times
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