By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, July 24: Many travellers from China’s Xinjiang still associate Malaysia mainly with areas around Kuala Lumpur, with limited awareness of Borneo and other inland regions, says Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Dato Sri Tiong King Sing.
During a recent meeting with the Xinjiang Youth Travel Agency, Tiong took the opportunity to promote Malaysian destinations including Sabah and Sarawak, as well as Perak and Negeri Sembilan, highlighting their rich natural resources and cultural experiences.
He was warmly received by the agency’s legal representative Dong Liangquan and his executive team, where he learned that the agency operates over 60 branch offices across Xinjiang and is highly experienced in managing international business exhibitions, charter flights, visa arrangements and Central Asia transit.
Tiong also highlighted Malaysia’s strengths such as its diverse culinary offerings, UNESCO World Heritage sites, and Muslim-friendly environment, while extending an open invitation for familiarisation visits.
He noted that while awareness of Borneo Malaysia remains low, the social and cultural atmospheres between both regions are quite similar—offering strong potential for promotion.
“This exchange left a deep impression on me of the agency’s professionalism and passion as one of Xinjiang’s leading travel players,” he said, adding that he sees tremendous potential for future collaboration.
“With continued mutual trust and pragmatic engagement, I believe Malaysia and Xinjiang can together pioneer a vibrant new chapter in two-way tourism.” — DayakDaily
