SriLankan Airlines joins forces with Tourism Malaysia to boost bilateral travel.

Tourism Malaysia has partnered with SriLankan Airlines to promote leisure travel from Sri Lanka to Malaysia, leveraging the island nation’s economic revival and rising demand for overseas trips. This move is underway with Sri Lanka’s economy growing between 4.0 – 5.0% and increasing disposable incomes are driving a surge in international travel among Sri Lankans.

As part of this collaboration, SriLankan Airlines recently hosted a familiarisation tour for Sri Lankan media to highlight Malaysia’s diverse tourism offerings, tailored to appeal to Sri Lankan holidaymakers.

Speaking at a joint press briefing in Kuala Lampur, Deepal Perera, Manager of Corporate Communications at SriLankan Airlines, emphasised the partnership’s potential for two-way tourism growth. “Tourism Malaysia is not only promoting inbound travel from Sri Lanka but also encouraging Malaysians to explore Sri Lanka. Both countries are enhancing their tourism infrastructure, creating opportunities for travellers to experience each other’s heritage, culture, and cuisine,” he said.

Solehuddin Ahmad, Deputy Director of the South Asia Unit at Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board, noted a steady rise in Sri Lankan visitors since the “Visit Malaysia” campaign launched in February 2025.

“While China, Thailand, Singapore, and India remain our top markets, Sri Lanka is emerging as a key source for family vacations, corporate events, and shopping. Sri Lankan travellers spend an average of 7,000 Malaysian Ringgit (Rs. 490,000) per trip – higher than many other nationalities driven by Kuala Lumpur’s reputation for high-quality, affordable shopping,” he explained.

Ahead of World Tourism Day on September 27, 2025, both SriLankan Airlines and Tourism Malaysia are intensifying promotional campaigns to attract more travellers. Destinations like Kuala Lumpur, Melacca, and Genting Island are expected to particularly appeal to Sri Lankans, offering a blend of urban vibrancy, historical charm, and leisure attractions.

This partnership underscores SriLankan Airlines’ strategic push to expand passenger traffic on the Colombo-Kuala Lumpur route while bolstering Sri Lanka’s resurgent tourism sector.

Responding to a query from The Island, Malaysian tourism officials confirmed that requests for visa-free travel for Sri Lankans are under consideration by policymakers, though discussions remain ongoing.

Source: https://aviationvoice.lk/srilankan-airlines-joins-forces-with-tourism-malaysia-to-boost-bilateral-travel/