KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is hopeful that renewed discussions with the India territory of Puducherry will see an increase in bilateral ties and tourism. Puducherry Tourism Minister P. Rajavelu said that he and Malaysia were looking to expand relations through the tourism industry. “We have extended an invitation to outbound tour operators in Kuala Lumpur to visit the city of Puducherry for a familiarization tour. “This is to enable them (tour operators) to better promote Puducherry to their customers,” he said during a recent press conference. Rajavelu described Puducherry as a “peaceful destination in South India, noted for its age-old heritage, and beach town for those seeking spirituality.” He said the potential for tourism in the area of spiritualism was abundant in and around Puducherry as it had the famed Nagoor Mosque, Vailankanni Church and the world-famous Saneeswaran temple at Karaikal. “Puducherry can be a connecting hub for pilgrimage,” he said, adding that he was confident there would be an increase in the influx of Malaysian tourists to the city.
