Haryanty Abu Bakar as Director Mumbai by Tourism Malaysia

Tourism Malaysia has appointed Haryanty Abu Bakar as Director of its Mumbai office. Effective April 13, 2026, she will drive tourism promotion across Western and Central India and the Maldives. The appointment comes as Malaysia continues to expand its engagement with Indian travellers, a key source market for inbound tourism.

Haryanty Abu Bakar to Lead India Market Strategy

In her new role, Haryanty Abu Bakar will lead strategic initiatives to position Malaysia as a preferred destination for Indian travellers. Her mandate includes overseeing marketing campaigns, strengthening travel trade partnerships, and driving demand across multiple traveller segments.

The role involves promoting Malaysia’s diverse tourism offerings, including urban experiences, luxury retail, beach destinations, family-focused attractions, and cultural heritage. Her leadership will focus on aligning tourism messaging with evolving travel preferences in the Indian market while supporting sustained visitor growth.

Regional Role for Haryanty Abu Bakar in India and Maldives

Based in Mumbai, Abu Bakar will manage Tourism Malaysia’s efforts across Western and Central India, in addition to overseeing outreach in the Maldives. Her responsibilities include market development, stakeholder engagement, and expanding brand visibility across these regions.

The position requires coordination with airlines, travel partners, and tourism stakeholders to enhance connectivity and improve accessibility for travellers. Strengthening partnerships remains a key component of driving inbound tourism in competitive regional markets.

Experience Across ASEAN and Domestic Tourism Markets

Haryanty Abu Bakar brings extensive experience across international and domestic tourism markets. Prior to this appointment, she served as Director of Tourism Malaysia in Sabah, where she contributed to the region’s growth as a nature and adventure tourism destination.

Earlier in her career, she held the position of Deputy Director in Jakarta, focusing on building relationships with Indonesian travel trade partners and driving inbound tourism to Malaysia. This experience provided her with exposure to ASEAN tourism dynamics and cross-border market development strategies.

India’s Role in Malaysia’s Tourism Growth

India continues to be a significant contributor to Malaysia’s tourism sector. The country recorded 42.2 million international visitor arrivals in 2025, reflecting an 11.2 percent increase compared to the previous year. Indian travellers have played a key role in this growth, with visitor numbers rising by 15.8 percent to exceed 1.5 million arrivals.

The continuation of visa-free entry for Indian nationals has supported this growth, improving accessibility and boosting travel confidence. Tourism Malaysia has also outlined a strong calendar of events under the Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign, aimed at sustaining momentum across key markets.

Strengthening Connectivity and Market Access

Air connectivity between India and Malaysia continues to expand, with 237 weekly direct flights operating from 14 Indian cities. These services provide a total seat capacity of 43,646 per week, connecting travellers to key destinations such as Kuala Lumpur, Penang, and Langkawi.

This increased connectivity plays a critical role in supporting tourism growth by enabling easier access and facilitating travel demand from India. The enhanced network is expected to complement Tourism Malaysia’s promotional efforts under Abu Bakar’s leadership.

Haryanty Abu Bakar has assumed her role as Director of Tourism Malaysia Mumbai and will lead the organisation’s efforts to strengthen its presence in the Indian market while supporting long-term tourism growth objectives.

Her appointment is expected to further strengthen Malaysia's footprint in the india travel market through targeted promotional activities.

Read more News at Hospitality Career Profile Website