VISA WAIVER FOR INDIA, CHINA TOURISTS
VMY2020 gets a major boost.
VISIT Malaysia Year (VMY) 2020 will be given another boost following yesterday’s announcement that a one-year visa exclusion has been granted to tourists from China and India.
The visa exclusion was limited to a maximum of 15 days and would take effect from Jan 1 onwards, according to a federal government gazette.
Despite the move to temporarily exclude visas for tourists from two of the most populous nations in the world, the gazette said nationals from both countries would need to be registered.
They would also need to submit their travel plans to an electronic registration system as directed by the Immigration director-general under Sub-section 2(1) of the Passport Act 1966.
The gazette stated that tourists from the two nations would also have to undertake their journey within three months of completing the registration.
“Tourists will not be required to apply for any other pass under the Immigration Regulations 1963, apart from having valid flight tickets to their home nations or other countries.
“Tourists are also only allowed to enter and exit Malaysia through airports gazetted under Subsection 5(1) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 or through designated Immigration control posts.”
The designated immigration control posts are at Bangunan Sultan Iskandar; Johor Baru Railway Station; the Sultan Abu Bakar Immigration Control Post in Tanjung Kupang, Johor; Padang Besar, Perlis; Bukit Kayu Hitam, Kedah; as well as Sungai Tujoh and D22A Tedungan Immigration Control Post, Batu Danau Limbang, Bahagian Kelima, Sarawak.
The gazette said tourists from the two countries must show to the authorities on arrival sufficient funds for their stay in Malaysia.
It added that tourists from India and China were allowed to reenter Malaysia 45 days after leaving the country, with similar process and conditions.
Tourism operators are gearing up for the fifth edition of Visit Malaysia Year (VMY), which rolls out on Wednesday.
Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (Matta) honorary secretary-general Nigel Wong said the association had plans to focus on China, India and Asean countries, as well as Europe.
“There will be tourists coming in from India and China from January.
“There is also strong interest in Malaysia from the Balkan states, Poland and, of course, Australia, seeing that their currency rate is much stronger against the ringgit.
“On promoting Malaysia, we will bring 30 industry players to an international travel trade show in Berlin. They will engaging
the media there to promote Malaysia,” he told the New Sunday Times.
While there were more efforts to attract foreign tourists, he said, there would also be focus on domestic tourists.
He said domestic tourism could bring in up to RM80 billion through Matta travel fairs.
Wong said the tourism market had changed since 1990, when the first VMY was introduced.
“Over the years, market, currencies and world events have changed. For the tourism industry, there is more promotion in secondary areas, such as visiting rural or interior areas.
“The trend has also shown a renewed focus on Malaysian culture and on how the country has developed since the 1990s.”
Matta has also been promoting sustainable tourism.
“Sustainable tourism will be a key deciding factor for tourists, especially those from Europe and Australia, as well as the millennial market segment as they are concerned about environmental issues.
“This year, we will promote eco-tourism with partner states Perak, Penang and Kedah.
“At the same time, Matta is also supporting government initiatives to draw tourists to local spots with wellness and healthcare attractions.”
He said each state had its own unique attraction.
“At the end of the day, VMY 2020 is a concerted effort.”
For Malaysian Association Tour Agency (Mata), plans are underway to introduce new ways for local and foreign tourists to visit Malaysia, such as motorcycle rides.
Its president, Datuk Mohd Khalid Harun, said the activity would be introduced by members in Selangor, where the campaign will kick off at The Love @ Malaysia Tourism Centre (MaTiC) today.
He advised tour operators and travel agencies to meet with foreign embassies in Malaysia to promote the country as a holiday destination.
“Mata has met a lot of foreign embassies, such as the Cuban and Ugandan embassies. They have expressed an interest to work with Malaysia to promote tourism bilaterally.
The first VMY was launched in 1990 with the theme “Fascinating Malaysia, Year of Festivals”.
The campaign proved to be a success as the country recorded 7.4 million in tourist arrivals, with RM4.5 billion in tourist receipts.
The success of VMY 1990 spurred another VMY in 1994, with the theme “Fascinating Malaysia. Naturally More”, which saw 7.2 million tourist arrivals, with tourist expenditure reaching RM8.3 billion.
The third VMY was launched in 2007 in conjunction with Malaysia’s 50th National Day, with the theme “Celebrating 50 years of Nationhood”. This VMY saw tourist arrivals of 20.97 million and recorded RM46.1 billion in tourist receipts.
In 2014, Malaysia celebrated its fourth Visit Malaysia Year with the theme “Celebrating 1Malaysia, Truly Asia” to reflect the country’s unity in diversity. The country received 27.4 million tourists, with tourism expenditure reaching RM72 billion.