Malaysia received 1 million tourists since opening borders on April 1

BUKIT JELUTONG: Malaysia has seen about one million travellers arrive since it reopened its borders on April 1, says Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri.

The Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister said the number meant that the country has reached the halfway mark of its "Malaysia Truly Asia 2022" campaign target of two million tourist arrivals.

"Looking at the tourist arrivals from two months ago, from Singapore alone we have received about 600,000 travellers.

"We are optimistic that we will be seeing a rise in these figures from other countries such as Japan and India," she said when speaking to the media on Saturday (June 4).

Nancy explained that travellers were interested to come to Malaysia due to the more relaxed standard operating procedures.

"Travelers don't need to be quarantined, undergo extra PCR and RTK Covid-19 tests and purchase Covid insurance.

"Our restaurant operating hours are also a bit relaxed so these are the factors that enticed travellers to our country," she said.

Nancy officiated the #GoJalanLah campaign, a collaboration between Tourism Malaysia and Firefly airlines to promote domestic travel.

Through this campaign, the Firefly's 'livery' will be decorated with "Cuti-Cuti Malaysia" and Tourism Malaysia's 50th-anniversary celebration logo to encourage Malaysians to travel within the country in addition to displaying a QR code with over 68 travel destinations in the aircraft.

The #GoJalanLah Campaign Promotion also offers the purchase of Firefly flight tickets as well as hotel accommodation at a discount of up to 35%.