MUMBAI, India, 10 February 2025: Following the extension of visa exemptions and the increase in direct airline services between India and Malaysia, Thomas Cook (India) Limited partners with Tourism Malaysia to host a high-impact MICE promotion targeting corporate event planners based in Mumbai.
The event attracted over 30 senior executives from leading multinational corporations and Indian corporate houses across sectors, including BFSI, pharma, and electronics, hosted by Tourism Malaysia and Thomas Cook India representatives who pitched corporations to hold future business events in Malaysia.
Inaugurated by Tourism Malaysia Director General Datuk Manoharan Periasamy, the event highlighted Malaysia’s unwavering commitment to expanding its MICE offerings and enhancing its accessibility for Indian corporates.
Organised in coordination with Nuwal Fadhillah Ku Azmi (Director International Promotion, Asia & Africa), Azura Zainol Abidin (President, Malaysia Sports Tourism), Noriah Jaafar (Director, Tourism Malaysia Mumbai) and T.Ediwanto T.Eddie (Dy Director of Tourism Malaysia), the event’s format allowed for a productive blend of business and networking, packed with insightful presentations, engaging discussions and invaluable one-on-one sessions that allowed participants to explore Malaysia’s vast MICE offerings in depth.
The intent was to showcase Malaysia’s opportunity and inspire significant MICE groups for 2025 and 2026.
Gastronomy is a key element for India’s MICE segment, and the event featured an immersive culinary experience with a delightful array of Malaysian delicacies, vibrant Indian cuisine, and an innovative fusion of Malay-Indian-inspired dishes. The Malaysia-inspired décor transformed the event’s ambience, capturing the essence of the country’s rich culture and scenic beauty.
The event concluded on a high note, with exciting prizes, giveaways, and many participants leaving with renewed enthusiasm to consider Malaysia as the top choice for their MICE programmes in 2025-26 and beyond.
Datuk Manoharan Periasamy said: “We are proud to partner with Thomas Cook India to showcase Malaysia’s varied facets and unique offerings to its MICE clients. Malaysia’s warm welcome is a source of national pride, and it has something to offer to groups of all sizes and tastes. Malaysia is uniquely positioned as a MICE destination, offering significant advantages such as visa-free travel, strong flight connectivity with direct flights from key Indian cities including Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad and others, and excellent infrastructure that caters to all group sizes. Malaysia provides an ideal environment for MICE events with its exceptional value offerings.
We look forward to a long-term collaboration to bring more Indian corporates to Malaysia for their MICE programs in the years ahead.”
Thomas Cook (India) Limited President & Country Head, Holidays, MICE, Visa — Rajeev Kale said: “Malaysia is not just a destination; it’s like a multifaceted jewel, offering exceptional value, world-class hospitality, and easy accessibility. With the recent exemption of visa requirements and direct connectivity, Malaysia is poised to become MICE planners’ go-to choice. This corporate engagement is intended to bring Malaysia to the market, highlighting its unique blend of cultural richness, value offerings, and seamless travel experience. Last year, we strengthened our commitment by signing an MOU with Malaysia Aviation Group (Malaysia Airlines), tapping into the growing appetite of Indian travellers for Malaysia.”
Thomas Cook (India) Limited Executive Vice President & Head — MICE, Meera Charnalia said: “This engagement marked our focused effort to elevate Malaysia’s standing in the competitive MICE market. With its exceptional offerings, ranging from state-of-the-art infrastructure to diverse cultural experiences, Malaysia is well-positioned to meet the growing demands of Indian corporations. By delivering customised MICE solutions that address the specific needs of our clients, Thomas Cook India is reinforcing its commitment to providing seamless and memorable corporate travel experiences. I hope this engagement will further solidify Malaysia as a top choice for MICE events, offering immense potential for growth in the years to come.”
