As Thailand has lured more and more Malaysian tourists across the border for short-haul holidays, Malaysia started marketing tourism to Thai people as soon as the borders began to open again after the Covid-19 pandemic. Thailand added more train services across the border at Padang Besar into the country and Malaysia welcomed tours sent by Thai travel agents. Malaysia overtook India as the primary demographic of tourists entering Thailand, and Malaysia welcomed all travellers crossing the Thai border. Well, almost.

Now Tourism Malaysia is making its first big marketing pitch across the border after the full reopening from pandemic restrictions, as they set up exhibitions in the Southern hub of Songkhla and the capital city of Bangkok. They set up two main goals: to create connections within the tourism and trade community and to build confidence and encourage Thai people to come back to taking Malaysian holidays again. The entourage promoting in Thailand consisted of travel agents, hotel owners and operators, airlines from Malaysia, and related travel business owners, all led by Nancy Shukri, the Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture.

Since reopening to tourism, Thailand has been a crucial demographic for tourism in Malaysia, sitting across the border, just a short hop away by plane, train, or bus. It is one of the top four source destinations for travellers to Malaysia after the coronavirus pandemic.

In 2019, before the Covid pandemic, 1,884,306 Thai people visited Malaysia, and with its proximity, it is a destination that draws the same travellers again and again for repeat visits. The Tourism Minister expressed eagerness to welcome Thai tourists and plugged in some exciting new attractions.

“We are delighted to have Thai travellers experience our newly developed and latest attractions, including our outdoor theme park in the highlands – the newly-opened Genting SkyWorld – and the magnificent Merdeka 118 Tower in Kuala Lumpur, currently standing as the world’s second-tallest buil