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Hoping for five million Chinese tourist arrivals to M’sia next year

Friday, 22 Dec 2023

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PETALING JAYA: China has been Malaysia’s largest source of tourists outside Asean countries for seven consecutive years, marking a historic milestone in bilateral relations.

The year 2019 witnessed an impressive 3,795,800 bilateral people-to-people exchanges between the two nations before the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, according to the Chinese Embassy in Malaysia.

The embassy has consistently prioritised and actively fostered exchanges and cooperation across various domains between the two nations. Continuous efforts have been dedicated to streamlining people-to-people exchanges to enhance the mutual benefits of the friendly relations between China and Malaysia.

In a statement yesterday, the embassy reported processing close to 260,000 visas in 2023, with a peak of over 4,000 visa applications handled in a single day.

On a positive note, Malaysia’s local tourism industry expressed optimism regarding the proactive efforts of the Tourism, Arts, and Culture Ministry (Motac) in promoting Malaysia as a tourist destination in major Chinese cities.

Coupled with the recently announced visa-free policy, industry players told The Star the country anticipates welcoming approximately five million Chinese tourists to Malaysia in the upcoming year.

Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) president Nigel Wong expressed their commitment to achieving this target set by Motac.

He said various initiatives have been implemented in anticipation of the return of Chinese tourists. Motac and Tourism Malaysia have already organised trade missions and MATTA plans to send its members on trade missions to China next year.

He said Chinese and Indian tourists have shown a keen interest in travelling to Malaysia. The introduction of visa-free arrivals is expected to boost this interest.

However, he added that it is crucial to ensure that marketing strategies are well-targeted and that the government provides the right incentives, such as grants, to encourage tourism stakeholders to engage directly with travel agents and tour operators from these countries.

Malaysia Inbound Chinese Association (MICA) president Datuk Dr Angie Ng acknowledged the challenge but said the goal is within reach and identified four critical factors: flights, visa exemptions, business tourism, and tourism services.

Ng elaborated on the current flight situation between China and Malaysia, noting that the passenger capacity can only accommodate three million visitors to Malaysia despite the planes being consistently full. The remaining two million people are targeted to enter Malaysia from neighbouring countries such as Singapore and Thailand.

Hence, she said operators in the tourism industry should proactively seek additional avenues to attain the target of attracting 5 million Chinese tourists.

“Consumption in neighbouring countries is higher than in Malaysia, and some tourists opt for Malaysia due to favourable currency exchange rates. As a result, our travel agencies implement twin programmes with neighbouring countries, encouraging tourists to visit Malaysia after their travels there,” she said.

She highlighted the positive impact of the visa-free policy, attracting numerous business groups to Malaysia.

Malaysian Inbound Tourism Association (Mita) President Mint Leong envisions collaboration with Motac to attract five million Chinese tourists in 2024. The ambitious target, backed by a free visa policy, aims to surpass the 1.5 million Chinese visitors recorded in 2023, focusing on increased flights and direct routes to tourist destinations.

Despite current flights being at 80% of 2019 levels, Leong said the industry is investing in promoting diverse tourism packages on social media, anticipating a surge during Chinese New Year and post-celebration boosts in tourism, driven by the 50th anniversary of Malaysia-China diplomatic relations.

Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH) vice-president Lim Choong Sean said foreign bookings are coming in, but they are not as strong as expected.

“The hotel industry will benefit more from the free visa policy if the government regulates unregistered accommodations.

“In pre-2019, Chinese tourist arrivals were robust in Malaysia. As of this year, the number of arrivals and returning tourists, including Chinese tourists, still does not meet expectations.

“The number of foreign tourists coming in is still low, and Singaporeans and Malaysians are the ones that are travelling a lot. So, we expect with this free visa, the Chinese tourist occupancy rate will increase by 30% or higher.”

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Tags / Keywords: Chinese tourist , China , Motac , Matta , Mica , Malaysia , China

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Follow our news, recent searches, analysis: visa-free travel with china welcomed in malaysia but hurdles remain for tourism sector, advertisement.

From Dec 1, visitors from China - as well as India - will be allowed to enter Malaysia without the need for a visa for up to 30 days.

A view of Kuala Lumpur's skyline in Malaysia on May 30, 2023. (Photo: Reuters/Hasnoor Hussain)

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SINGAPORE: Even as Malaysia anticipates an influx of Chinese travellers following the implementation of a visa-free programme between both sides, it must make efforts to maintain the expected momentum of inbound tourists, an analyst told CNA. 

Among the initiatives Malaysia could explore are to implement hassle-free immigration lanes to ensure the ease of travel, as well as conduct studies to understand Chinese tourist purchases and behaviour. 

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced on Sunday (Nov 26) that visitors from China - as well as India - would be granted visa-free travel for visits of up to 30 days. This will take effect from Dec 1. 

"Next year, Malaysia will be celebrating 50 years of diplomatic ties with China," Mr Anwar was quoted by local media as saying during the Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) annual congress over the weekend.

Dr Puvaneswaran Kunasekaran, a senior lecturer at Universiti Putra Malaysia’s faculty of human ecology, told CNA that the occasion is “a big advantage for Malaysia to (carry out a) massive promotion” to attract tourists from China. 

China is one of the biggest markets for Malaysia’s tourism businesses, he said. He warned, however, that other dominant players in the region could pose a threat to Malaysia’s goal of drawing in Chinese tourists. 

Malaysia's neighbouring country of Thailand, for example, has waived visas for Chinese nationals from Sep 25 until February next year, to middling results . 

Meanwhile, a similar visa-free policy was also announced by China for Malaysia and five other European countries - namely France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain - that will begin on Dec 1. The visa-free entry into China for these countries is valid for visits of up to 15 days and is part of a one-year trial. 

Malaysian tourists whom CNA spoke to said that the removed hurdle of a visa application has piqued their interest to travel to China, although they said that the inability to access everyday apps like Google may pose an issue to their travels.

MAINTAIN MOMENTUM OF CHINESE TOURISTS, URGE ANALYST 

The move by Malaysia to grant 30 days of visa-free entry will increase the number of Chinese visitors, said Dr Puvaneswaran, who urged local tour and travel authorities to maintain the expected momentum of Chinese tourists. 

“This move is actually a ‘promotion trailer’ to introduce a bigger ‘Visit Malaysia Year 2026’ to the Chinese market,” he told CNA, adding that the influx of Chinese tourists has the potential to reach its peak in 2026. 

“Visit Malaysia Year” is a campaign held by the Malaysian government every several years to promote the country as a tourist destination. The most recent in this series was Visit Malaysia Year 2020, themed “Visit Truly Asia Malaysia”. 

Dr Puvaneswaran noted that Chinese tourists make up the biggest market for Malaysian tourism businesses, apart from travellers from Singapore and Indonesia in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). 

When contacted, the Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH) told CNA that Malaysian hoteliers are prepared for the influx of Chinese tourists, adding that increased tourist arrivals would significantly boost the recovery rate of Malaysia's hotel industry.

"The number of arrivals we receive now still lags behind the figures we achieved pre-pandemic," said the association.

"We hope that ... the government would use this opportunity to enhance their China-targeted marketing efforts.

Commenting on the travel pattern of Chinese visitors, Dr Puvaneswaran said that many tourists from China also visit neighbouring countries like Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia. 

“Thus, their travel to Malaysia is not always a lengthy stay,” he told CNA. 

To address this, he stressed that Malaysia should diversify its tourism products in order to set it apart from its competitors, especially Thailand. 

“There are many cultural and community-based tourism products which are unpolished diamonds in Malaysia. These could be properly established for the Chinese market,” he said. 

Beyond that, a mega Chinese New Year Festival next year in Malaysia - marking the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries - could be organised, suggested Dr Puvaneswaran. 

He added that to increase tourism numbers, both the Chinese and Malaysian governments could implement hassle-free immigration lanes, as well as an app to track tourist data in order to further understand their purchases and behaviour. 

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Ms Su Yaxuan, a Chinese citizen who is currently residing in Singapore, said that the visa-free entry to Malaysia would make her travel plans there even more convenient. 

“In fact, I already have a Malaysia e-visa. I’ve always wanted to visit Malaysia more, and the prospect of visa-free entry simplifies the process for me,” she told CNA. 

The Malaysia e-visa has a three-month validity period and costs about RM105 (US$22), according to the Malaysian immigration department’s website. 

Ms Su said that the application process for the e-visa is relatively convenient as she does not need to go down to the embassy to submit her documents. It only took three days to obtain the visa, she added. 

Nonetheless, the PhD student said that she welcomes the visa-free entry program for Chinese travellers.

“I’ve always had the desire to spend more time in Malaysia because I’m a huge fan of the food, culture, and water sports the country has to offer. 

“(The visa-free entry) is particularly exciting because I’ve been considering trying scuba diving in Malaysia and with this new policy, I can explore this opportunity without any additional visa preparations,” said Ms Su. 

According to the Global Times, the search index on the major Chinese travel platform Qunar for Malaysia nearly doubled compared to the previous week after the visa-free program was announced.

During the tabling of Budget 2024 in October this year, Mr Anwar said that the government is aiming to pull in 26.1 million foreign tourist arrivals in 2026. The government has also allocated RM350 million to boost tourism promotions and activities, he said. 

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Dr Song Haiyan, the Associate Dean in the School of Hotel and Tourism Management at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, told CNA that more countries are expected to be granted visa-free entry into China in order to prop up tourism in the country. 

“The announcement of visa-free countries last week is the beginning of many (more) to be announced in the future,” said Dr Song. 

“The main purpose is to encourage international tourists to visit China, which is badly needed for many destinations within China. Although domestic tourism is booming, international tourists are lacking due to the three-year lockdowns.” 

According to local media, Chinese ambassador to Malaysia Ouyang Yujing said in July last year that in 2019, 3.1 million Chinese tourists had visited Malaysia, as compared with 1.38 million Malaysians who had been to China.

Explaining why the six countries last week were granted visa-free entry, Dr Song said that the countries “are relatively neutral towards the conflicts between China and the United States, and they are also major import-export countries with China.”

“So visa-free entry for such citizens … will further stimulate the economic ties with these countries,” he told CNA. 

He added that moving forward, China needs to simplify the payment systems for foreign tourists. 

“International tourists from these countries still prefer cash payments when purchasing goods and services in China. 

“Although WeChat and AliPay have linked their payment systems to Visa and MasterCard, there are still many problems in terms of getting the payment systems working properly for mobile phone users from these countries,” said Dr Song. 

China’s mobile payment network became highly closed-off to overseas tourists since mobile apps became the predominant payment method in the country in the late 2010s, reported Reuters. 

Foreign visitors often find themselves unable to pay for things in China where many shops and restaurants now only accept mobile payment rather than credit cards or cash.

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Ms Sebrina Tai Thye, a Malaysian project engineer, welcomed the initiative by China, particularly after her previous visa applications to enter the country were fraught with numerous difficulties. 

“When I had some questions to ask, I was not able to contact the Chinese Visa Application Centre. I tried calling the centre number provided on Google multiple times but no one picked up,” said the 25-year-old. 

She added that issues encountered at the visa centre took a long time to be resolved. 

“When booking an appointment to submit my visa application, I accidentally booked an appointment for ‘legalisation’ instead of ‘visa’. I was denied entry (at the centre) and had to apply for another appointment on another date … to (submit my visa),” said Ms Tai. 

The visa centre is located in Kuala Lumpur, an estimated 3.5-hour drive from Johor Bahru where Ms Tai lives. 

Ms Tai added that her visa was not approved on time for one of her business trips to China. “As a result, I had to postpone my flight by a week,” she said, noting that the visa centre website had no information about how long the visa approval would take. 

Ms Tai said that while she is eager to visit China for leisure purposes due to the visa-free entry for Malaysians, she found it inconvenient at times as mobile applications she was used to using had been blocked. 

“China is a beautiful country to experience. (But) it was quite inconvenient for me to navigate and explore (the country) at first because I was so used to using apps such as Google search engine and Google maps,” she told CNA. 

Under China’s Internet censorship policy, several applications which are commonly used worldwide, including Google, cannot be accessed in China. 

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Another Malaysian traveller, Mr Johan Ariff, said that he would be interested in travelling to China, especially as he will not need to fork out any money for a visa. 

“I won’t need to worry about having to book a visa. And I could also save a lot of money since I won’t have to pay for a visa,” said the 25-year-old maintenance engineer. 

A visa for a single entry to China for Malaysians can cost anywhere between RM105 to RM320. 

Mr Johan also told CNA that it would be helpful if more information about China were available, especially on social media. 

“Since the Chinese society is somewhat restricted … from the world, it’s hard for potential tourists like me in other countries to get a better view of what it’s actually like in China, and how advanced their society really is,” he said.

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Malaysia welcomes Chi­nese tourists back in droves af­ter pan­dem­ic slump

Kuala Lumpur targets record 5 million Chinese visitors in 2024 as it hopes to accelerate post-pandemic recovery.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – Chinese tourists are returning to Malaysia en masse after the COVID-19 pandemic slump, industry figures say, amid expectations arrivals could reach pre-pandemic levels this year following the introduction of visa-free entry.

Mint Leong, president of the Malaysian Inbound Tourism Association, estimated that arrivals rose by about one-third year-on-year in January to some 60,000, followed by a 50 percent rise in February to some 120,000.

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“Chinese New Year will be the best arrivals post-COVID-19,” Leong told Al Jazeera.

Leong said she expects Chinese arrivals to reach 3.5-4.5 million this year, with the average tourist spending 5,000-6,000 Malaysian ringgits ($1,000-$1,200) during their trip.

Before the pandemic, China was the third-largest source of tourists after Singapore and Indonesia, sending 3.1 million visitors in 2019.

The Malaysian government has set a target of 5 million Chinese visitors in 2024, hoping to deliver a jolt to the post-pandemic recovery of Southeast Asia’s fifth-largest economy.

Malaysia’s economy grew 3.7 percent in 2023, missing official targets and lagging behind regional neighbours such as Indonesia and the Philippines.

In December, Kuala Lumpur introduced visa-free entry for Chinese citizens, allowing visitors to stay in the country for up to 30 days for travel and leisure purposes.

The move added Malaysia to the list of 88 countries and territories that Chinese travellers, whose passport ranks 62nd on the Henley Passport Index for ease of travel, can visit without needing to apply for a visa.

“The visa-free deal will definitely boost Chinese tourist arrivals in Malaysia to aid stronger tourism and related services growth,” Lee Heng  Guie, an economist and executive director of the Kuala Lumpur-based Socio Economic Research Center (SERC), told Al Jazeera.

“I expect the number to recover back to pre-pandemic levels this year,” Lee said.

In Kuala Lumpur, hoteliers have reported a noticeable uptick in Chinese bookings during the Lunar New Year period and expressed optimism that their numbers will remain strong throughout the year.

Gregory Gubiani, general manager at the five-star Westin Kuala Lumpur, which is popular with Chinese tourists due to its location in the busy Bukit Bintang shopping district, said Chinese arrivals doubled in January 2024 compared with last year.

“There was a high influx of mainland Chinese here at The Westin Kuala Lumpur and its vicinity recently during the Lunar New Year period,” Gubiani told Al Jazeera, explaining that guests typically stayed 2-3 nights at about 600 ringgit ($127) per room per night.

Gubiani said that although bookings had yet to recover to pre-pandemic levels, the visa-free entry policy would contribute to the “upward trend.”

EQ, another 5-star hotel in the city centre popular with Chinese travellers, also experienced a surge in Chinese arrivals during the Lunar New Year period.

“These numbers are forecasted to remain steady and grow throughout the year. Increased flights from regional centres and larger capacity aeroplanes also play a part in the increasing number of arrivals,” EQ’s general manager Gerard Walker told Al Jazeera.

“The increased number of flights per day in the January to March period also point to Malaysia being an attractive travel prospect, or alternative destination to other, more crowded Southeast Asian destinations.”

Walker said his hotel’s “dynamic mix of guests” includes Chinese coming to Malaysia for luxury shopping and golf, and business guests coming for high-level business meetings.

“The stays are usually part of onward travel to other destinations in Southeast Asia, as part of a longer holiday,” he said.

“Our exchange rate, the cost of dining, the high-value experiences and outstanding appeal of hotels like EQ, makes Malaysia a positive alternative to other overcrowded destinations such as Bangkok.”

Yeah Kim Leng, an economics professor at Sunway University, said that China’s huge middle-class population should be able to sustain the influx into Malaysia despite slowing growth in the world’s second-largest economy amid weak consumption, a shrinking population and a property market slump.

“Although a significant number of the middle class have been negatively affected by the slowing economy and property market distress, the sizeable middle-class population coupled with high savings rate will likely sustain China’s outbound tourism that has been eagerly awaited by Malaysia and other countries in the region,” Yeah told Al Jazeera.

Yeah said the scale of outbound travel from China would depend on Beijing’s willingness to provide fiscal support and undertake reforms to encourage a shift away from investment-driven growth towards a consumption-led model.

Malaya’s tourism sector was worth an estimated 251.5 billion ringgit ($53bn), or 14 percent of the gross domestic product in 2022, according to the Department of Statistics Malaysia.

Total tourism spending amounted to 92.7 billion ringgit ($19.6bn), of which 33.4 billion ringgit ($7bn), or 36.1 percent, came from foreign tourists.

While China accounted for the third-largest number of tourists, Chinese visitors’ average spending was among the highest for foreign visitors.

Chinese tourists spent an average of 661-768 ringgit ($140-$162) per day in Malaysia between 2017 and 2019, 19 to 72 percent higher than the average tourist, according to research by Hong Leong Investment Bank Research

“Hence, the expected boost in their numbers due to the visa-free initiative could have a significant impact on tourism spending in the country,” Yeah said.

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China remains top tourist priority: Malaysian official

KUALA LUMPUR, May 16 (Xinhua) -- China remains Malaysia's top incoming tourist market priority with arrivals from the country hugely increasing since pandemic restrictions were withdrawn, a Malaysian official said on Thursday.

In his remarks at the Malaysia-China Summit (MCS) 2024 Networking Engagement Series, Tourism, Arts, and Culture Ministry deputy secretary-general Shaharuddin Abu Sohot said Chinese tourists were significant contributors to Malaysia's economy and this helped strengthen bilateral ties as well as contributed to local businesses and the tourism ecosystem.

"Last year, Malaysia welcomed 1,474,114 Chinese tourists, which is an increase of 593.4 percent from 212,603 visits in the same period, in 2022," he said.

Scheduled for Dec. 17-19, the MCS 2024 is one of the programs to commemorate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and Malaysia, and is endorsed by the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry. ■

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More Chinese tourists coming to Malaysia, RM3.71 bil spent

KUALA LUMPUR:  Chinese tourists are coming to Malaysia in bigger numbers this year despite the initial fears of China's economic growth.

Chinese arrivals grew by 7.6% to '.33 million from January to May con-pared to 1.24 miilion in the same period last year, accord-g to Tourism Malaysia's latest figures.

For lanuary to March. Chinese tourists spent a total of RM3.7I bil in Malaysia, a 20.6% rise compared to RM3.08bil in the first three months of last year.

Average spending per Chinese tourist also went up by 10.9% to RM4, 411.10 for that period compared to RM3, 979.10 last year, the figures show.

Despite the positive news, Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) president Datuk Tan Kok Liang (pic) said the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry needs to promote Malaysia aggressively in China.

He reiterated MATTA's call for tourists from China and India, who are currently granted a 15-day visa exemption, to be allowed visa-free travel to Malaysia.

"Our growth looks positive but other Asean countries are having better tourist arrivals growth due to flexible visa policies.

"Malaysia must not lose out to neighbouring countries by imposing more stringent requirements on visitors," he said.

A Reuters report on july 15 said China's economic growth slowed to 6.2% in the second quarter of this year from a year earlier, the weakest pace in at least 27 years, as demand at home and abroad faltered amid an escalating trade war with the United States.

However, there are no signs yet that this has affected the country's tourist arrivals to Malaysia so far this year, the Star reported.

Tourism Malaysia's figures show uninterrupted growth in the number of Chinese tourist arrivals for the past five years. It rose from 1.61 million in 2016 to 2.94 million last year.

Tourism Malaysia's data shows that China is currently Malaysia's third biggest tourism market after Singapore and Indonesia.

A China Daily report on March 13 said nearly 150 million Chinese citizens holidayed abroad last year, spending up to US$l20bil (RM501.48bil).

The report said Malaysia was thefsixth most popular destination for Chinese tourists, after Thailand, Japan, Vietnam, Singapore and Indonesia.

Tan said another measure that could help maintain strong tourist arrivals is getting more shops in Malaysia to accept mobile payment facilities such as Alipay and WeChat Pay which are commonly used in China.

Tan called for more flights from China to Malaysia, especially from second and third-tier source cities such as Changchun, Changsha, Chengdu, Chongqing, Dalian, Fuzhou, Nanjing, Ningbo, Xiamen and Zhuhai, among others.

Malaysia has set a total targetnof 28 million tourist arrivals this year and 30 million next year.

For the first five months of this year, tourist arrivals to Malaysia from all countries have gone up by 4.8% to 10.9 million compared to 10.4 million last year," according to Tourism Malaysia.

"To reach 28 million, we will need to work harder and hopefully, promotions for Visit Malaysia 2020 wouid also boost arrivals for the last quarter of this year," said Tan.

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Malaysia Entry Requirements for Chinese Citizens

Important : Citizens of China are currently exempt from Malaysian visa requirements. Chinese nationals can travel to Malaysia visa-free until December 31, 2024.

Chinese citizens visiting Malaysia need a visa to enter the country. However, since 2017 it has been possible to obtain a Malaysia Visa for Chinese citizens online .

The simplified process to receive a Malaysia visa from China allows visitors an easier method to obtain the right travel document to enter the country. Additionally, it provides streamlined access to the country on arrival to a port of entry in Malaysia.

On this page, we outline this application process, and also go over the other visa types available to you as a Chinese citizen.

What Visa is Needed for Chinese Citizens to Enter Malaysia?

To travel to Malaysia as a Chinese citizen , they can apply for different Malaysia visa types. However, the most convenient option is the Malaysia eVisa: This is a single entry visa for a 30-day stay online.

You can apply for an eVisa from anywhere in the world except if you are in Isreal, Malaysia, North Korea, or Singapore. There’s no need to visit a consulate or embassy during the process.

There are other types of Malaysia visas for different purposes, such as the business visa, student visa, and work visa. It is essential to choose the right visa type based on your travel purpose to avoid any issues during your stay in Malaysia.

Malaysia Visa Requirements for Chinese Citizens

A Malaysia visa application form requires eligible travelers to provide a few essential details and documents in order to be approved.

It’s important to check the Malaysia entry requirements before applying to ensure you meet all the specifications.

How Can a Chinese Citizen Apply for a Malaysia Visa?

Chinese can apply for a visa through the eVisa platform.

Here is a step-by-step guide for Chinese on the visa application process:

• Fill in the required details on the visa application form Ensure that all information is accurate and complete to avoid delays or rejections.
• Prepare the required documents: Gather all the necessary supporting documents for the visa application.
• Submit the application: Submit the completed application form along with the supporting documents
• Receive the visa: Once the visa is approved, you will receive it via email.

Traveling to Malaysia from China

Once you have your approved visa, you can use it to visit Malaysia from China through any point of entry , whether by land, air, or sea.

Major airlines operate direct flights between China and Malaysia , connecting cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen to Kuala Lumpur, Penang, and other major Malaysian destinations.

Flight durations range between 5 and 6 hours, depending on the route.

Upon arrival in Malaysia, Chinese must present your valid passport with a printed copy of your visa. Immigration officers may ask for additional documents or information to verify the purpose of the visit.

FAQ’s about Malaysia visa for Chinese citizens

Do i need a visa for malaysia from china.

Yes, Chinese passport holders need to have a visa to visit Malaysia . Fortunately, you can easily obtain a travel permit for Malaysia online.

What visa types do Chinese citizens need to enter to Malaysia?

There are several travel permits that Chinese visitors are eligible to apply for to travel to Malaysia . The most convenient option is the eVisa, which you can obtain 100% online.

What documents do Chinese citizens need to travel to Malaysia?

Chinese arrivals must have the following documents to enter Malaysia : Valid passport, visa, proof of onward or return ticket, accommodation booking. Visitors must ensure that their passport meets Malaysia’s requirements, and that their travel permit is valid and approved.

How much is Malaysia eVisa for Chinese citizens?

The cost of a Malaysia eVisa for Chinese citizens varies depending on the type of visa and the processing time selected. The evisa is the most cost-effective option, and you can also pay the fee securely online using a credit or debit card.

How long can a Chinese citizen stay in Malaysia?

A Chinese citizen can stay for up to 30 days in Malaysia with an eVisa. If you wish to stay for longer than 30 days, you must apply for a visa at an embassy or consulate instead.

Can Chinese nationals get visa on arrival in Malaysia?

You can only get a visa on arrival for Malaysia only if you are arriving directly from either Indonesia, Singapore, or Thailand at select airports in the country. Additionally, you must hold a valid visa from one of these countries and intend to stay for no more than 14 days. You also need to pay the fee in local cash currency.

This article first appeared in The Edge Financial Daily on February 3, 2020

KUALA LUMPUR: China has been Malaysia’s third biggest tourist source country after Singapore and Indonesia since 2012, displacing Thailand from the top three.

According to the latest available statistics, Malaysia has welcomed over two million tourists that are of Chinese nationality per year since 2016. That figure hit a record high of 2.94 million people in 2018.

Meanwhile, total tourism receipts amounted to 5.7% of gross domestic product (GDP) in the first half of 2019 — slightly lower than the pre-severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) level of 6.3% — while China tourism receipts accounted for 1% of GDP, Danny Goh of Credit Suisse pointed out.

In comparison, for the entire 2018, tourism receipts amounted to 5.8% of GDP, while China tourism receipts were at 0.9% of GDP.

Although the Wuhan virus is largely expected to pose only short-term economic disruptions at this point, there is a risk that Malaysia’s tourism industry could be hit harder this time.

This is if the Wuhan virus-related concerns linger for as long as or far longer than the six-month SARS outbreak, given that China’s share of tourism receipts had more than quadrupled to 19% as of the first nine months of 2019 (9M19), from 4% in 2003, said Goh.

“During SARS, Malaysia’s total tourism receipts declined 17% year-on-year (y-o-y) in 2003, with China tourism receipts (which accounted for 4.2% of total) falling 39% y-o-y.

“Given that China’s share of tourism receipts has quadrupled to 19% in 9M19, the potential impact on GDP could be greater this time. Assuming a sharp decline in China tourist receipts of 50% and a 17% drop in tourism receipts from other countries, the estimated loss in Malaysia’s tourism receipts could amount to about 1.3 ppts (percentage points) of GDP (China alone contributing 0.5 ppt),” he added.

According to Jerry Lee Chee Yeong, an assistant portfolio manager at online investment platform Fundsupermart, the Wuhan virus outbreak could pose challenges to Malaysia hitting its maintained Visit Malaysia Year targets in 2020, as some visitors postpone or reconsider their travel destinations to Malaysia, which has the fourth most confirmed cases outside China, at a total of eight cases so far.

He, however, believes that local authorities could take actions such as relaxing visa applications for certain markets, to help mitigate the impact.

Copyright © 1999-2023 The Edge Communications Sdn. Bhd. 199301012242 (266980-X). All rights reserved

Chinese Female Tourist Scammed Of RM4,500 At KLIA

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The victim withdrew RM1,500 three times and gave a total of RM4,500 to the other party.

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Malaysia Airports Holdings (MAHB) has confirmed that a Chinese female tourist defrauded RM4,500 by scammers at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA).

The incident, reported on social media, has been handed over to the police for investigation.

According to a report by Sin Chew , the victim shared her ordeal on Xiaohongshu, a popular social media platform in China.

While checking her luggage at the airport, she encountered a tomboy who claimed to be a Singaporean.

The suspect said she needed money to pay for her extra check-in luggage.

The two went to an ATM together, where the victim withdrew RM1,500 three times and gave a total of RM4,500 to the other party.

The suspect claimed she had asked her mother to return the money but disappeared while preparing for boarding.

The victim reported the case to the police station on the 5th floor of the airport.

MAHB Assures Cooperation With The Police

In response to the incident, MAHB stated that airport security has cooperated with the Malaysian police and provided all relevant information.

The company also emphasized that passenger safety remains its top priority and urged all passengers to remain vigilant at the airport.

MAHB has confirmed that the police have arrested the suspect but declined to comment further as the investigation is ongoing.

The victim’s post on Xiaohongshu has been forwarded and discussed by netizens, with some private messaging the woman to share similar experiences.

The incident serves as a reminder for all travellers to be cautious and aware of potential scams at the airport.

READ MORE : Minister Says Tourist Asked To Pay RM18,000 Bribe At KLIA

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