KUCHING, Feb 8: Malaysia has exceeded its target of 9.2 million international tourist arrivals in 2022, according to Tourism, Arts, and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing.
Tiong emphasised in a Facebook post yesterday (Feb 7) that it is due to systematic and safe reopening strategies supported by the marketing of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as a single destination.
“Our efforts in reopening in stages since the end of 2021, and finally easing travel restrictions in April 2022, have finally borne fruit,” he said.
He went on to say that it is encouraging to note that the reopening of China’s border for international travel will bolster the momentum of recovery and restore the ASEAN tourism industry to its pre-pandemic glory.
“We must redouble our marketing efforts for ASEAN to make it the destination of choice for China’s tourists,” he added.
“However, I cautioned that whatever procedures we impose in terms of safety and health protocols must be equal and non-discriminatory towards any individuals or groups, and should instead focus on implementing science-based and data-backed measures.”
Meanwhile, Tiong reiterated Malaysia’s role in co-organising the ASEAN-China Investment Seminar in 2023 with the ASEAN-China Centre and in developing the crisis communication toolkit for the region during his official address to the 2023 ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Tourism (M-ATM) in Yogyakarta.
“This underlines Malaysia’s leadership role in promoting and attracting tourism investment in the region,” he noted. — DayakDaily
