Chinese tourist number to Malaysia rises threefold thanks to visa-free policy

The sharp increase has been credited for the implementation of visa-free travel arrangements between both countries, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing said as cited by The Star.

Malaysia started offering a 30-day visa-free entry for Chinese citizens starting December last year and has extended it until 2026.

"I encourage all airlines to (take advantage of) this trend by expanding connectivity to provide more convenience and options for travelers worldwide, creating a win-win situation," he said in a Facebook post on Sunday.

The number of Chinese tourists to Malaysia remains modest compared to other neighbors.

Thailand received 2.91 million Chinese tourists during the first five months of this year while Vietnam welcomed 1.6 million visitors from China.

Southeast Asian countries recently vied for the return of tourists from China, the world's largest outbound tourism market before the Covid pandemic.