Wednesday, June 5, 2024 The introduction of a visa-free scheme by China for Malaysian citizens is sparking hopes of a significant travel boom. This policy, which doubles the visa-free access duration to 30 days, celebrates 50 years of diplomatic ties between the two nations and extends until the end of 2025. This development is particularly appealing to Malaysia’s Malay-Muslim community, who have shown increasing interest in traveling to China.
Adam Kamal Ahmad Kamil, general manager of Suka Travel & Tours, noted a growing demand for Muslim-friendly holidays in China, with affordable packages below 5,000 ringgit (US$1,058). “With the new announcement, I hope the numbers will be better,” he said, highlighting the appeal of China’s attractions, including Universal Studios in Beijing, Shanghai’s Disneyland, and historical sites like the Great Wall. Prior to this change, skepticism about travel to China was prevalent among Malaysians, influenced by geopolitical issues and human rights concerns.
However, recent trends indicate a shift in perception, with agencies now handling double-digit tour groups this year compared to zero demand in 2023. China’s visa-free initiative aims to attract more tourists from Southeast Asia, countering the significant drop in international arrivals post-Covid-19. In 2019, around 1.
4 million Malaysians visited China, a figure that tourism authorities hope to surpass with the new policy. The extended visa-free access is expected to make Chin.
