Malaysian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Haznah Md. Hashim has said the tourism sector has emerged as a vital component of bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Malaysia, reports UNB.
"This is acting as a bridge to bring our people closer and allowing us to experience the unique beauty and diversity each nation has to offer," she said while speaking at a B2B networking dinner on Sunday at a Dhaka hotel.
Marking the "Roadshow to Bangladesh", the High Commissioner said Malaysia registered more than 10 million tourists' arrivals in 2022.
"This shows that Malaysia is on track to gain back 26 million tourists' arrivals. Out of 10 million tourists in 2022, about 59,000 were originated from Bangladesh," she said.
With respect to Bangladeshi tourists, leisure tourism plays a significant role in attracting them to Malaysia.
The High Commissioner said Malaysia, Truly Asia, offers the Bangladeshi travellers a perfect blend of natural landscapes, vibrant cities, and rich cultural heritage -- which is a multitude of experiences for every traveller.
The Tourism Malaysia Roadshow serves as a platform to showcase the immense potential of our partnership and the opportunities that lie ahead, she said.
"It is a testament to the dedication of the Malaysian government in promoting tourism and strengthening the ties between our nations. Through this roadshow, we aim to highlight the range of tourism offerings in Malaysia, from leisure and medical tourism to educational opportunities," said the High Commissioner.
The envoy said Malaysia and Bangladesh share many cultural, traditional, and culinary similarities, which is why Malaysia is a popular destination for Bangladesh tourists.
"And halal food has never been an issue in Malaysia. Besides this, we are also encouraging our trade partners to develop and sell more holiday packages to Malaysia with a special focus on niche products like medical tourism, luxury travel, and spa as well as Education tourism," she said.