KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (Matta) is appealing for a temporary waiver of visa fees for tourists from China and India, in order to boost visitor arrivals to Malaysia.
Its president, Datuk Tan Kok Liang, in a statement here today said the appeal must be considered seriously by the government in order to attract more visitors and give Malaysia’s economy the much-needed boost.
“It is given that imposition of visa and its requirement are barriers to foreign visitors and easing visa restriction would facilitate tourist arrivals.
“As such, Malaysia must take the proactive step to waive visa fees, particularly on Chinese and Indian tourists, as they are increasingly responsive and sophisticated,“ he added.
Tan also opined that granting visa fee waiver would stimulate visitor arrivals and enable Malaysia to stay competitive with neighbouring countries.
“This is necessary in view of Thailand waiving visa-on-arrival (VOA) fees for two months from Dec 1 to Jan 31 for visitors from 21 countries, including China and India, in stimulating its tourism industry following consecutive months of year-on-year decline in Chinese arrivals to Thailand.
“Furthermore, Malaysia and Thailand are inter-connected with tourist from China and India crossing over to Malaysia to extend their holiday,“ he added. — Bernama
