SEPANG – The Tourism, Arts, and Culture Ministry is targeting the arrival of five million tourists from China this year compared with 3.1 million in 2019, said minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing.
Tiong said the target was set following China’s decision to reopen its borders on January 8 after three years of restrictions following the Covid-19 pandemic.
“We are happy to see tourists arriving in the country to drive the tourism sector and national economy.
“I wish them a warm welcome to Malaysia and hope that tourists from other countries will also visit Malaysia,” he said during a press conference after presenting souvenirs in conjunction with Chinese New Year to tourists from Hong Kong and China at Kuala Lumpur International Airport here today.
He said the target is expected to be achieved when China allows group tour services to 20 countries, including Malaysia, to resume on February 6.
The other 19 countries listed are Thailand, Indonesia, Cambodia, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Philippines, Singapore, Laos, United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Kenya, South Africa, Russia, Switzerland, Hungary, New Zealand, Fiji, Cuba, and Argentina.
Tiong also assured that every Chinese tourist would undergo a Covid-19 screening test in their country before coming to Malaysia, and urged all Malaysians to continue to prioritise their own health and maintain standard operating procedures to curb the disease.
“Even if Covid-19 is still here, we have to move on and take care of our own health,” he said, while urging various parties to work with the ministry to promote tourism and revitalise the sector.
Recently, the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents was reported to have said it had complete faith in the Health Ministry to manage the arrival of Chinese tourists, just as it did with other travellers from around the world. – Bernama, January 22, 2023
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