VICE president of the Malaysian Chinese Tourism Association (MCTA) Cooper Huang said the relaxation of visa requirements between China and Malaysia is expected to trigger a travel and business boom.

Huang said prior to the announcement, many Malaysians were already mulling traveling to China.

The visa-free policy, he said, will not only attract Chinese tourists but also businesses seeking expansion here.

“Chinese businessmen could also be encouraged by the hassle free travel to seek opportunities and tie-ups with their Malaysian counterparts.”

That, Huang added, will further strengthen the economic ties between the two countries.

On November 24, the Chinese Foreign Ministry announced the unilateral visa-free policy for holders of ordinary passports from France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and Malaysia.

This policy will be in effect from December 1 to November 30, next year, allowing citizens from these countries to enter China for business, tourism, family visits, or transit for up to 15 days.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim last Sunday announced a 30-day visa-free entry into Malaysia for visitors from China and India from today.

However, the exemption is still subject to security screenings for past records of crime or violence, Anwar said.

Angie Ng, president of the Malaysia-China Tourism and Culture Promotion Chamber, said it would be an understatement if the new arrangement will boost tourism.

Ng, praising the visa-free travel, said the arrangement is providing a boost to the tourism industry, which is emerging from the Covid-19 slowdown.

“It enhances convenience by eliminating the need for visas.”

Like Huang, Ng said the removal of visas will attract many for business purposes.

On the lopsided arrangement where Chinese visitors get 30 days visa free stay while Malaysians only get 15 days, Ng believed 15 days are enough for the average tourist.

Asked if Malaysians could apply for an extension of stay, Ng said it’s too early to say since the arrangement was only just implemented and the shortcomings have not shown up yet.

Patrick Law, director of Confidence Travel & Tour Sdn Bhd, is among those who said the visa-free travel arrangement bodes well for tourism.

Law cautioned travel agencies that neglect to familiarise themselves with the new arrangement may face challenges. He emphasised the need for the agencies to swiftly adapt.

Wayne Law, chairman of the Perak exco of the Malaysian Chinese Tourism Association, said the visa-free news “signifies progress in coming out of the pandemic”.

He anticipates a significant increase in the number of Malaysians visiting China and Chinese tourists coming to Malaysia during the upcoming year-end festive holidays and the Chinese lunar New Year next year.

As the travel to China is expected to hike steeply, Law warned the cost would similarly increase.

He said the hike would depend on flight frequencies and that probably would not happen until after April.

“If more flights are added, ticket prices may decrease and vice versa.”

Law also disclosed a discussion is ongoing between travel agencies and local service providers to determine what sort of impact the visa free travel will have on the industry.

“We’re assessing what the impact would be on the hotels, the transportation sector.

“So for the moment, everything is still status quo – no changes in travel prices.” – December 1, 2023