Friday, June 27, 2025
In an effort to promote travel between Sri Lanka and Malaysia, SriLankan Airlines has teamed up with Tourism Malaysia with a view to stimulating leisure travel from Sri Lanka into Malaysia. This move is on the heels of Sri Lanka’s economic revival, whose growth stands between 4.0 and 5.0% per annum. Sri Lanka’s economic revival, coupled with increased disposable incomes, has spurred an increase in foreign travel by Sri Lankans, with Malaysia transforming into a very attractive holiday destination.
Economic Revival Spurs International Travel from Sri Lanka
With Sri Lanka’s economy on the rise, an increasing number of Sri Lankans are opting for international travel. According to officials, as the country’s economic landscape continues to strengthen, the demand for travel abroad has surged, particularly to destinations like Malaysia. The collaboration between SriLankan Airlines and Tourism Malaysia is strategically timed to tap into this growing interest, with both entities working together to provide enticing travel options for Sri Lankan travelers. This collaboration aims to cater to the increasing appetite for holidays, shopping trips, and corporate events, which are all expected to grow in the coming years.
Familiarisation Tour to Promote Malaysia’s Tourism Offerings
As part of the initiative, SriLankan Airlines recently hosted a familiarization tour for Sri Lankan media professionals. This tour was organized to showcase Malaysia’s diverse tourism offerings, specifically tailored to Sri Lankan holidaymakers. Through this effort, the airline and Tourism Malaysia aim to highlight the various attractions available in Malaysia, ranging from urban experiences to historical landmarks, thus making Malaysia a more appealing option for Sri Lankan tourists.
Joint Press Briefing in Kuala Lumpur Highlights Growth Potential
A joint press briefing was held in Kuala Lumpur, where key figures from both SriLankan Airlines and Tourism Malaysia discussed the partnership’s potential for bilateral tourism growth. Deepal Perera, the Manager of Corporate Communications at SriLankan Airlines, spoke about the growing opportunities for two-way tourism, emphasizing the importance of Malaysia’s efforts to attract both incoming travelers from Sri Lanka and encourage Malaysians to visit Sri Lanka. He further stressed that both countries were actively enhancing their tourism infrastructure, creating more opportunities for travelers to explore each other’s unique cultural heritage, cuisine, and local experiences.
Sri Lanka Emerges as Key Market for Malaysian Tourism
Solehuddin Ahmad, the Deputy Director of the South Asia Unit at the Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board, noted a steady increase in the number of Sri Lankan visitors to Malaysia since the launch of the “Visit Malaysia” campaign in February 2025. This influx of Sri Lankan tourists is part of a broader trend, as Malaysia sees growth in visitors from various countries. Despite China, Thailand, Singapore, and India continuing to be the leading markets for Malaysian tourism, Sri Lanka has emerged as a key source market for family vacations, corporate events, and shopping tourism. According to Ahmad, Sri Lankan tourists are known to spend an average of 7,000 Malaysian Ringgit (approximately Rs. 490,000) per trip, which is higher than the spending by many other nationalities. Kuala Lumpur, in particular, is attracting these travelers with its reputation for high-quality and affordable shopping experiences, which has proven to be a strong draw for Sri Lankan tourists.
Strengthening Bilateral Tourism Relations
This collaboration is not just about attracting Sri Lankans to Malaysia but also about encouraging Malaysian tourists to visit Sri Lanka. The goal is to establish a two-way tourism flow that benefits both countries. By focusing on their respective strengths—Sri Lanka’s rich cultural heritage and Malaysia’s diverse leisure attractions—the two nations are set to strengthen their tourism ties and open up new avenues for both inbound and outbound tourism. This mutual effort is in line with SriLankan Airlines’ strategic goal of increasing passenger traffic on the Colombo-Kuala Lumpur route while simultaneously boosting the resurgent tourism sector in Sri Lanka.
Special Focus on Key Destinations
As the partnership continues to grow, several Malaysian destinations have been identified as key attractions for Sri Lankan tourists. Kuala Lumpur, Melacca, and Genting Island are expected to be particularly popular, offering a mix of urban vibrancy, historical charm, and a range of leisure activities. From the bustling streets of Kuala Lumpur to the serene landscapes of Genting Island, there are multiple options for Sri Lankan tourists seeking both relaxation and adventure. The diverse range of attractions in Malaysia is also seen as a significant factor in drawing more Sri Lankan travellers to the country, with something for every kind of tourist, whether they are interested in shopping, history, or modern entertainment.
Plans for World Tourism Day 2025
In anticipation of World Tourism Day on September 27, 2025, both SriLankan Airlines and Tourism Malaysia are ramping up their promotional efforts to attract more tourists. Special marketing campaigns, including travel deals and promotional events, are expected to be launched in the coming months to capitalize on the global tourism day. The aim is to increase awareness about the tourism opportunities available in both Sri Lanka and Malaysia, further encouraging travellers from both countries to explore each other’s destinations.
Visa-Free Travel for Sri Lankans Under Consideration
One of the most anticipated developments in the tourism partnership is the potential for visa-free travel for Sri Lankan citizens visiting Malaysia. Malaysian tourism officials have confirmed that discussions are currently underway regarding this possibility. While nothing has been finalized, the idea of removing the visa requirement would make travel between the two countries even more accessible and attractive. It is expected that if this proposal is approved, it will significantly increase the flow of tourists between Sri Lanka and Malaysia, further strengthening the ties between the two nations.
Conclusion: A Promising Future for Bilateral Travel
This cooperation between Tourism Malaysia and SriLankan Airlines is a meaningful effort at developing closer bilateral relations between Malaysia and Sri Lanka. While both nations aim at developing their tourism infrastructure and providing Sri Lankans with a variety of experiences on holiday abroad, as well as allowing Malaysian visitors to sample Sri Lanka’s rich heritage, their tourism futures appear very promising. And with an increasing demand all over the globe for foreign travel, this cooperation stands ready to fill a developing need among Sri Lankans for exciting foreign holiday destinations, as well as opening Sri Lanka’s rich heritage as an experience opportunity for Malaysian tourists.
References: Official SriLankan Airlines Website, Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board, Visit Malaysia Campaign 2025
Image Credit: Official SriLankan Airlines Website
