MALAYSIA:Good News For Indians, You Will Have Free e-visas

not only can you get a visa for the beautiful Malaya land with just a click on the mouse, but it is free as well. Only a $20 (Rs 1,342) processing fee will be charged, while the visa fee has been waived.

“You can now apply for the visa online and you will receive it in the comfort of your home within 48 hours,” Malaysian Minister of Tourism and Culture Dato’ Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz has announced. He was leading a delegation from the country and the announcement was made during a press conference organised by the Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board at the Le Meridien Hotel in New Delhi on February 16.

Aziz further said the tourism board has waived the visa fee for Indian travellers and only a processing fee will be charged. One can apply for the visa by logging on to www.windowmalaysia.my.

Promoting sustainable and niche tourism at the 24th edition of the South Asia Travel and Tourism Exchange (SATTE) 2017, Aziz said that sustainable tourism development was no longer a mere cliche but a major contributor to a more environmentally responsible economy.

“With the right investment, tourism can be a lead change agent in the move towards a green economy. It simultaneously improves resource efficiency, minimises environmental degradation and raises environmental awareness among travellers,” he said.

With such niche tourism on a rise, Malaysia is also pushing its special interest packages for premium shopping, luxury travels, sports tourism such as golf, and the country as a wedding and honeymoon destination.

The World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) has designated 2017 as the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development and Malaysia is keen to promote its four UNESCO heritage sites — Kinabalu National Park in Sabah, Gunung Mulu National Park in Sarawak, Melaka and George Town cities, and the archaeological heritage site of Lenggong Valley. India is the sixth top tourist generating market for Malaysia, with a total 7,22,141 Indians visiting the country in 2015. Last year, from January to October, Malaysia had received a total of 5,40,530 Indian tourists.