I laud Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing in his keynote address at the 2023 Asean Tourism Forum in Yogyakarta, Indonesia in February. I completely concur with his points. By allowing visas on arrival for tourists, Malaysia could compete more effectively with neighbouring countries that already offer visa-free or visa-on-arrival programs. The current visa requirements for tourists from countries such as China and India create an unnecessary barrier to entry, discouraging potential visitors from choosing Malaysia as their holiday destination.
It is evident that our country loses a significant amount of revenue from foreign tourism since travellers prefer to visit countries that allow visa-free travel with lower costs and it is absolutely unreasonable to cite security concerns as a justification to require tourists from China and India to obtain visas to visit our country when Malaysia is having friendly diplomatic relations with the two nations.
In addition to revising our visa requirements, we can also learn from other countries’ successful tourism promotion strategies. For example, Taiwan’s smart card and voucher program is a brilliant idea to incentivise tourists to visit their country. This approach helps to offset some of the costs associated with travel, making it more affordable and accessible to potential visitors. Our authorities could consider implementing a similar program to encourage and attract foreign tourists. This could include providing discounts or vouchers for hotel stays, restaurant meals, or tourist attractions.
We should not hesitate to learn from others and emulate good practices that have the potential to benefit our country. By learning from other successful tourism programs and being open to new ideas, we can continue to grow and develop our tourism industry while providing tourists with unforgettable experiences.