Abdul Rahman Shaari, Tourism Malaysia regional director for Africa, West and South Asia, said Malaysia was well placed to attract tourists from the Middle East, with its positive image being boosted by the fact that it remains a progressive Muslim country where religious needs were respected.

"Halal food is easily available and the same goes for mosques and musolla. And we're sensitive to the need of having piped-water in the toilet, unlike in some other parts of the world," Shaari said.

In addition to reasonable hotel room rates, Shaari said another thing that works in Malaysia's favour is the availability of family entertainment, embodied by places like Sunway and Genting Highlands.