SEPANG: Malaysia welcomed 1,449,711 tourist arrivals from China as of June 2024, an impressive 190.8% increase compared to the same period in 2023, with 498,540 arrivals, Tourism Malaysia said.
The introduction of visa-free entry for Chinese travellers effective 1 Dec 2023 until 31 Dec 2026 has spurred inquiries and bookings to Malaysia from China, the tourism board added.
Meanwhile, Tourism Malaysia director-general Manoharan Periasamy, along with 9 Air and Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB) representatives, personally welcomed passengers aboard flight AQ1211 from Guiyang, 9 Air’s maiden flight which arrived at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport Terminal 2 here on Sunday (Aug 25).
This new weekly flight between Guiyang and Kuala Lumpur caters exclusively to travellers from Guiyang to Malaysia and marks a critical turning point in the development of tourism in Guizhou Province, he said.
"With these direct flights, Chinese tourists can now easily explore Malaysia's diverse attractions, from the iconic Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur to the beautiful beaches of Langkawi Island, the cultural splendours of Melaka, and the opportunity to experience unique cultural attractions, historical landmarks, and Malaysia's renowned cuisine," he added.
9 Air is a low-cost airline in China and the first and only budget carrier serving Central and Southern China, with its main operating base at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport.
The airline has flights to Thailand, Russia, Japan, and Laos, with Malaysia being the latest addition to its international routes. - Bernama
