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SEPANG: The Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry is set to discuss visa-on-arrival (VOA) requirements with the Home Ministry in a bid to boost the number of international tourists during Visit Malaysia Year 2020 (VMY2020).
Tourist arrivals are expected to surpass the three million VOAs allocated to visitors from China and one million VOAs for India this year.
Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Mohammadin Ketapi said he would discuss the matter with the Home Ministry to boost the number of arrivals during VMY2020.
“I will talk to the Home Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin to negotiate further on some of the VOA requirements in order to attract more tourists from China and India,” he said at a press conference at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) today.
Earlier, the government had announced a one-year visa exemption with a limited visitation period of 15 days without further extension, for tourists from India and China, starting today.
Tourists from China and India can enter the country up to 15 days by using the electronic travel registration and information systems. They can travel to Malaysia three months after registration.
Meanwhile, Tourism Malaysia kicked off the VM2020 with a special reception at major entry points at KLIA to welcome domestic and international tourists.
Mohammaddin and Tourism Malaysia staff greeted passengers who arrived at KLIA on a Etihad Airways flight from Abu Dhabi.
They were presented with special tokens like dodol, a VM2020 sash and greeted with cultural performances to showcase Malaysian hospitality.
Similar receptions were also held concurrently at 22 entry points throughout the country.
Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad officially launched VMY2020 on Tuesday. It targets to attract 30 million international tourists and generate revenue of RM100 billion.
