KUALA LUMPUR, 16 February 2015: 

The Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) welcome the latest announcement by the Home Ministry on the waiver of the visa fees from 15 February 2015.

MATTA Vice President for Inbound Datuk Tan Kok Liang said “We have taken an important step in the right direction to lure more Chinese tourists and hopefully in due course, the government will grant direct Visa On Arrival (VoA) which could boost visitor arrivals overnight.

Although it is too late to cash in on the huge exodus of Chinese tourist during the lunar New Year holidays, nevertheless the announcement was a timely Ang Pow by the Malaysian Government and is bound to generate a groundswell of goodwill in China.

However, the crux of the issue is most China nationals do not plan their travel well in advance and are easily hindered by visa requirements. Moreover, they are also spoilt for choice as regional destinations are more flexible on visas.

If we do not wish to overtake our ASEAN neighbours by granting visa exemption, then we should at least match them in order to be competitive.” Click to read more...