Keeping in view the evolving outbound dynamics of the India market, Malaysia is set to further consolidate its position as India's travel getaway of choice through its strategic tourism initiatives.

"Our strategic thrust remains focused on the Indian market and we are targeting 500,000 Indian arrivals to our country in 2008, of which around 30 per cent is expected to come in through the MICE (meeting, incentive, convention and exhibition) tourism route," Azizan Noordin, director (international promotion division - South Asia, West Asia, Oceania and Africa), Tourism Malaysia, said here on Monday.

Indian tourist arrivals to Malaysia notched a 32 per cent growth for the January-August 2008 period at 377,011, as compared with last year's arrivals for the same period. Figuring among the top 10 tourism generating markets, India contributed 422,452 visitor arrivals to Malaysia in 2007.

Noordin said the tourism board's marketing initiatives in India were driven to highlight beyond Kaula Lumpur, featuring ‘short breaks' to Langkawi, Penang, Pangkor, Tioman, Sabah and Sarawak.

The approach, tactically positioned with the conventional and new highlights focusing on active tourism indulgences, eco-tourism, driving holidays, soft adventure and island retreats, would be the key component to attract travellers from the Indian market, he said.

"Shopping is the main activity, which Indians like to indulge more in, especially electronic goods which are 30 per cent cheaper than in any other country. The tourism board has been organising three annual ‘Mega Sale' shopping festivals in Malaysia to woo Indian as well as tourists from other markets. The average spend by an Indian tourist to Malaysia on shopping is $130 per day. We expect this to grow to $150 this year."

Tourism, which is the second largest foreign exchange contributor to Malaysia, next to manufacturing, accounted for 46 billion ringgits (around Rs 60,89,4.1 crore) last year. Of this, revenue contribution from India stood at 1.1 billion ringgits (Rs 1,456.2 crore). Malaysia witnessed an influx of 29.9 million tourists in 2007.