Diplomatic Desk:
The “Tourism Malaysia and MHTC Networking Dinner 2026” was held in Dhaka under the joint initiative of Tourism Malaysia and the Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC). The grand event, organized at a five-star hotel in the capital on Wednesday (April 8, 2026) night, highlighted the potential of Malaysia’s tourism and healthcare sectors and various facilities for Bangladeshi tourists.
Malaysian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Mohammad Suhada Othman was present as the chief guest at the event. Also present were Suriyaghandi Supiah, CEO of the Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council, and Solehuddin Ahmed, Deputy Director of Tourism Malaysia, along with representatives of the relevant sectors.
Speakers at the event said that the Malaysian government has declared 2026 as “Visit Malaysia 2026”. As part of this, various activities have been undertaken to make the country’s tourism and healthcare sectors more attractive internationally, with Bangladesh being considered an important target market.
Speaking as the chief guest, the Malaysian High Commissioner said that Bangladesh and Malaysia have long-standing friendly relations, which are built on mutual trust, shared values and strong people-to-people contacts. This relationship is growing stronger day by day, especially in the tourism and healthcare sectors.
He said that last year, Malaysia welcomed more than 240,000 tourists from Bangladesh, which is a significant achievement of 84.6 percent growth compared to 2024. To maintain this trend, a target of attracting more than 300,000 tourists from Bangladesh has been set for 2026.
He also said that Malaysia is an accessible destination for Bangladeshi tourists. About 28 flights operate every week and the country can be reached in less than four hours. Malaysia offers a complete travel experience with a combination of sea beaches, natural beauty, modern city life, shopping facilities and rich culture.
Regarding the healthcare sector, he said that Malaysia is currently one of the top medical tourism destinations in the region. The country provides world-class medical treatment, advanced technology and skilled medical services at affordable prices. In addition, the Muslim-friendly environment and cultural harmony have created special benefits for Bangladeshi patients.
It was also informed at the event that the “Visit Malaysia 2026” program has been extended until 2027, so as to increase confidence in the international market and ensure sustainable development of the tourism sector. In addition, the campaign will also highlight lesser-known tourist destinations.
In addition, various initiatives have been taken to highlight Malaysia’s multicultural identity. As part of this, the ‘Flavors of Malaysia: Ramadan Buffet’ and ‘Visit Malaysia Year 2026: Dhaka Chapter’ programs were recently successfully organized in Dhaka, where traditional Malaysian food and culture were presented.
The event emphasized on increasing mutual cooperation between tourism, healthcare and related sector partners and building more effective partnerships in the future.
