THE Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry is aiming to attract five million tourists from China this year compared with 3.1 million in 2019, says minister 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 the national economy. 

“I wish them a warm welcome to Malaysia and hope 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 who arrived at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport today. 

He said the ministry expects to achieve the target with China reopening group tour services to 20 countries (including Malaysia) on February 6.

The other 19 countries are Thailand, Indonesia, Cambodia, Maldives, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, Singapore, Laos, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Kenya, South Africa, Russia, Switzerland, Hungary, New Zealand, Fiji, Cuba and Argentina. 

Tiong said all China tourists will undergo Covid-19 screening at home before coming to Malaysia, and urged all Malaysians to continue to prioritise their own health and keep to the coronavirus standard operating procedure. 

“Even though Covid-19 is still there, we have to move on and take care of our own health,” he said while urging various parties to work with his ministry to promote tourism and help revitalise the sector. 

Recently, the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents was reported to have said it has complete faith in the Health Ministry to manage the arrival of tourists from China just as it does with other travellers from the rest of the world. – Bernama, January 22, 2023.