Says MTPB director (South India) Raji Menon: "The number of Indian tourists visiting Malaysia is on the rise since 2000, during which year 1.32 lakh Indians visited Malaysia on tourist visa. This number went up to 1.43 lakh in 2001, and 1.83 lakh in 2002."

Similarly the average staying period, too, has gone up to four days. "At an average Indian tourist spends around $400 in Malaysia in shopping during his/her stay there," she says. During 2002, Malaysia's total tourism receipts from India stood at $73 million.

Menon says except for a brief lull in tourists' inflow due to SARS scare, the trend this year is really encouraging. In order to attract Indian tourists Tourism Malaysia is organising a weeklong (2 September to 8 September 2003) Malaysia food-cum-cultural festival along with Malaysian Airlines and star hotel Le Royal Meridian, Chennai.

The chief chef of Tanjung Rhu Resort, Malaysia, Presert R Kom, has been flown in to prepare authentic Malaysian delicacies at the Le Royal Meridian. "I have brought 10 carton-load of authentic Malaysian ingredients for this food festival," says Kom.

Menon says Malaysia is the land of various cultures and traditions and the Malaysian cuisine has contributions from the Chinese, Indian, Eurasian and Nonya cooking styles. "That is why we have our slogan: 'Malaysia, Truly Asia'."

The cultural programmes will be offered by the Malaysian cultural troupe permanently stationed in Delhi. "Tourism Malaysia will organise similar food festivals partnering with star hotels in cities like Hyderabad, Chandigarh and Kolkata," sums up Menon.