Tourism Malaysia Mumbai announces Haryanty Abu Bakar as Director
Haryanty Abu Bakar, Director, Tourism Malaysia Mumbai
In her current role, Abu Bakar will lead strategic initiatives to position Malaysia as a preferred destination for Indian travellers.
Tourism Malaysia Mumbai announced the appointment of Haryanty Abu Bakar as Director, effective April 13, 2026. She will spearhead Malaysia’s tourism promotion and market development efforts across Western and Central India, as well as the Maldives.
Driven by her past experience across international and domestic tourism markets, Abu Bakar brings a well-rounded mix of strategic leadership and market insight. She previously served as Director of Tourism Malaysia in Sabah, contributing to Sabah’s growth as a leading nature and adventure destination. Prior to that, as Deputy Director in Jakarta, she built strong relationships with Indonesian travel trade partners to drive inbound tourism to Malaysia, while deepening her understanding of the ASEAN tourism landscape.
In her current role, Abu Bakar will lead strategic initiatives to position Malaysia as a preferred destination for Indian travellers, highlighting the country’s diverse offerings—from vibrant cityscapes and luxury shopping to tranquil beaches, family-friendly attractions, and rich cultural heritage.
Notably, Malaysia has achieved its 2025 tourism target with 42.2 million international visitor arrivals, representing an 11.2% increase compared to 2024. India remains one of key source markets, contributing significantly to this achievement and continuing to play an important role. The continuation of Malaysia’s visa-free entry policy for Indian nationals resulted in visitor arrivals from India have recorded strong growth of 15.8%, reaching over 1.5 million visitors in 2025. As per Tourism Malaysia's official statement, this has further enhanced travel confidence and accessibility, complemented by a robust calendar of major and signature events planned nationwide under Visit Malaysia 2026.
Malaysia’s accessibility from India continues to strengthen, supported by 237 weekly direct flights from 14 Indian cities, offering a total weekly seat capacity of 43,646 to key Malaysian gateways including Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Langkawi. This enhanced air connectivity plays a vital role in facilitating travel and sustaining growth from the Indian market.
