Malaysia records 17.8 million tourist arrivals between January and November in 2023 (Photo: malaymail.com)Kuala Lumpur (VNA) – Malaysia's tourism industry reboundedremarkably in 2023 to almost pre-COVID-19 level after the country reopened itsinternational borders in 2022, Director-General of the Malaysian Tourism Promotion Board (Tourism Malaysia) AmmarAbd Ghapar has said.
Ammar said Malaysia recorded 17.8 million touristarrivals between January and November in 2023, up 116.5% from2022, and surpassed its set target of 16.1 million tourists.
For this year, Malaysia has set a target of welcoming27.3 million international tourist arrivals, bringing in 102.7 billion MYR(21.4 billion USD).
Ammer said Malaysia has yet to meet thepre-pandemic figures, but the country has seen a steady surge in arrivals fromits top markets, especially China.
Besides, Malaysia is also actively collaborating withinternational airlines such as Emirates and Qatar Airways to meet demand oftourists from Asia and Africa, the Americas, Europe and Oceania.
The Malaysian government's decision to relax entry visa requirements forseveral countries, including China and India, is a crucial factor in helpingTourism Malaysia meet its 2024 targets, and to prepare for Visit Malaysia 2026.
With the shifting travel trends, Malaysia iscontinuously working hand-in-hand with industry players to meet these newdemands by recreating and diversifying cultural and tourism products, addingmore value to the tourism products and services provided, and improvingdestination attractiveness to attract more international tourists.
Earlier on November 26, 2023, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announcedthe new policy of 30-day free entry for Chinese and Indian nationals.
The 30-day visa-freescheme for Chinese and Indian citizens is one of five initiatives underMalaysia's new visa liberalisation plan, which was unveiled by Home MinisterSaifuddin Nasution Ismail on November 27./.
