Malaysia aims to boost the number of Chinese tourists

Saturday, December 2, 2023

China and Malaysia will mark the golden jubilee year of their bilateral diplomatic relations next year.

Malaysia has invited China’s President Xi Jingping to visit.

Chinese ambassador to Beijing said on Friday, as the Southeast Asian country also seeks to boost the number of Chinese tourists to five million a year to fuel economic growth.

China and Malaysia will mark the 50^th anniversary of their bilateral diplomatic relations next year.

Malaysia recently announced tourists from China would be able to travel visa-free for 30 days. It is a move mirroring Thailand.

Government data showed Malaysia welcomed 498,540 Chinese tourists in the six months to June this year.This figure is almost a third of pre-pandemic levels.

In comparison, Thailand said it expected 3.4-3.5 million visitors from China this year.

Ambassador Norman Muhamad said at an event at the Malaysian embassy in Beijing that they have a big capacity to receive tourists.

He adds that the goal is not “far-fetched” even if it may take more than a couple of years to achieve.

Malaysia’s economic growth is expected to meet the government’s target of 4% this year, driven in part by stronger tourism.

Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has also invited China’s President Xi Jinping to visit the country, Norman said.

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