Yen Yen Proposes VOA Fee Reduction For China Tourists

Malaysian Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen said here she would propose that Malaysia reduce the visa-on-arrival (VOA) fee for China tourists to encourage more of them to visit Malaysia.

She said she would propose to the Home Ministry that the current fee of USD100 be reduced to RM50, which is equivalent to RMB100.

"I believe the fee reduction to RM50 will attract more China tourists to Malaysia," Ng told Malaysian reporters at the end of her visit here Wednesday.

Ng, who is on an eight-day working trip to China, has been to Chengdu, Chongqing and Zhongshan to hold seminars promoting Malaysia's high-end tourism products, such as golf tours, honeymoon packages, homestays and MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions).

The minister introduced Malaysia's high-end tourism products at the seminar, and received various feedback on visa issues during the Q&A sessions.

A total of 146 media organisations, 180 travel agencies and 25 enterprises sent their representatives to the seminars.

Ng also said that she would forward to the Home Ministry a proposal of Sichuan Province Vice-Governor Huang Yan Rong for a Malaysian consulate to be set up in Chengdu to enhance bilateral collaboration in the economic, trade, tourism and cultural sectors.

The minister said the working trip was a fruitful one.

"We always focus on travelling to the big cities, such as Beijing and Shanghai. We need to expand our route to the second-tier cities to widen options in developing new packages," she said.

Ng also encouraged Malaysian tour operators to develop new packages in line with demand.

During the trip, Ng visited art galleries and museums in each city as she planned to promote contemporary art in Malaysia next year.


Source :  Bernama
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