Langkawi and Penang Move Into the Spotlight as Tourism Chases New Arrivals in Malaysia

Written By: Abhirup Gan

Abhirup Gan

I'm Abhirup Gan, a Mass Communication graduate and digital marketing professional. Driven by a passion for storytelling, I create insightful, research-led content that explores tourism trends, destination stories, and hospitality developments with depth and clarity. Through my writing, I hope to inspire readers to discover not only where to travel, but the stories, cultures, and experiences that make every journey meaningful.

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August 19, 2026 9:53 AM

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In the context of shifting beyond Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Langkawi and Penang are emerging as tourism destinations in Malaysia. Tourism Malaysia is expanding its reach into South Asia and is focusing on island tourism, city tourism, forest tourism, and regional tourism. Connectivity and digital payments are assisting this shift to regions.

Key Stats

• More than 2 million Indian visitors are being targeted under Visit Malaysia 2026.
• Malaysia welcomed 1.5 million visitors from India in 2025, up 14.6% from 2024.
• India-Malaysia air services connect 16 Indian cities through more than 237 weekly direct flights.
• The planned UPI linkage covers more than 2.9 million DuitNow QR merchants.
• Penang-Langkawi flights take around 35–40 minutes.

South Asia Becomes a Bigger Tourism Target

India is taking a prominent position in Malaysia’s inbound strategy, with Tourism Malaysia conducting B2B roadshows and sales missions beyond major metropolitan markets. Recent trade activity in Nashik, Sambhajinagar, Rajkot and Vadodara has taken Malaysian tourism products directly to travel businesses in tier-two Indian cities.

Tourism Malaysia is also engaging Pakistan’s travel trade through roadshows.

The campaign is promoting island escapes, heritage journeys, nature, culture and multi-destination holidays.

Langkawi Gets More Attention

Langkawi is one of Malaysia’s major nature and island tourism destinations, with its UNESCO Global Geopark status adding a strong nature-based travel dimension. The archipelago offers beaches, mangroves, geological landscapes and island activities that can be combined into longer stays.

Its international airport also gives travellers a practical entry point for northern Malaysia. Visitors can combine Langkawi with Penang, with flights between the two airports taking roughly 35–40 minutes.

Penang Connects Heritage, Food and Regional Travel

Penang provides another secondary destination through George Town’s cultural heritage, food tourism and urban experiences. Its position in northern Malaysia makes it useful for itineraries that include Langkawi and other regional destinations.

Penang International Airport also gives international visitors another arrival option, helping distribute tourism traffic beyond Kuala Lumpur International Airport. Travellers can build open-jaw itineraries by arriving in one Malaysian destination and departing from another.

Sabah and Sarawak Add Nature

Sabah and Sarawak expand the diversification strategy through rainforest, wildlife, adventure and cultural tourism. Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan and other Sabah destinations provide access to marine and rainforest experiences, while Sarawak offers Kuching, indigenous cultures, national parks and biodiversity.

They support longer holidays combining beaches, forests, wildlife and cultural experiences.

UPI Could Make Travel Spending Easier

Payment connectivity is becoming another part of Malaysia’s tourism infrastructure. Payments Network Malaysia and NPCI International have agreed to enable cross-border QR payments between Malaysia’s DuitNow QR network and India’s UPI system.

Under the first phase, Indian travellers will be able to use UPI-enabled apps at supported DuitNow QR merchants across Malaysia. The network covers more than 2.9 million merchants, including restaurants, shops and tourism-related businesses.

For visitors, familiar mobile payment systems can reduce the need to manage cash or unfamiliar payment processes while travelling. It also allows smaller tourism businesses to accept spending from international visitors.

Air Connectivity Opens More Entry Points

Air access remains central to destination dispersal. Malaysia has direct links with numerous Indian cities, while routes serving Penang and Langkawi provide alternatives to Kuala Lumpur. Tourism Malaysia has highlighted connections from Indian cities including Mumbai, New Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kochi and Kolkata.

The connectivity supports itineraries beginning in Penang, continuing to Langkawi and other regions. Kuala Lumpur also remains an important gateway for domestic flights to Sabah and Sarawak.

Timelines and Events

• 7–8 April 2026: Islamabad Roadshow focused on Pakistan’s travel trade.
• 19–21 May 2026: Visit Malaysia 2026 roadshow in Rajkot and Vadodara.
• February 2026: Malaysia and India payment networks agreed on cross-border QR payments.
• 7–9 July 2026: Tourism Malaysia roadshow in Nashik and Sambhajinagar.
• Visit Malaysia 2026: Nationwide promotion continues for secondary destinations, cultural experiences and nature tourism.

FAQ

1. Which destinations are being promoted beyond Kuala Lumpur?
Langkawi, Penang, Sabah and Sarawak are receiving stronger promotional attention for island, heritage, rainforest, wildlife and cultural tourism.

2. How can Indian travellers benefit from UPI?
Supported UPI-enabled apps can be used at participating DuitNow QR merchants in Malaysia, simplifying travel payments.

3. Can travellers build multi-destination Malaysian holidays?
Yes. Penang and Langkawi can be combined through short domestic flights, while Kuala Lumpur provides onward air connections to Sabah and Sarawak.

Conclusion

The inbound tourism strategy of Malaysia is mapping new routes for tourists. While developing the market in South Asia, more attention is given to promoting tourist sites like Langkawi, Penang, Sabah, and Sarawak, along with improving air connectivity and e-payment system facilities to ease any hindrance for foreign tourists coming into Malaysia.