Latest news with #MalaysiaInboundChineseAssociation
The Star
11-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
Airport revamp needed before VM2026
Work in progress: The aerotrain performing a test run at KLIA Terminal 1. — AZHAR MAHFOF/The Star PETALING JAYA: With just months to go before the Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign kicks off, tourism industry leaders are worried about first impressions – they say KLIA and other airports need serious facelifts. Strangely enough, KLIA Terminal 1 – the bigger terminal – loses out to Terminal 2 when it comes to the range of food and services. 'At KLIA Terminal 1, the food in restaurants is often pre-prepared and simply reheated, which is not ideal. In contrast, Terminal 2 offers a much more diverse selection of dining options and shopping outlets,' says Malaysia Inbound Chinese Association president Datuk Angie Ng. Terminal 2 also provides essential travel items, such as luggage locks or new suitcases, at reasonable prices. Ng cited Singapore's Changi Airport as an example of what Malaysia should aspire to, with attractions like photo spots and a library for visitors, as well as a Food Republic outlet that offers a wide variety of freshly prepared meals. 'Unfortunately, the reheated food at our airport is unappealing,' she said. Ng did, however, commend KLIA's efficient Immigration clearance process, although there is still some congestion and confusion at baggage claim areas, particularly in Terminal 2. She said the airport needs more automated check-in machines and other state-of-the-art equipment. 'Other countries update facilities every two to three years. We should do the same, especially before VM 2026,' she said. Ng also highlighted the need for more airline staff to help elderly passengers at Terminal 2. Malaysia Inbound Tourism Association president Mint Leong echoed these concerns. 'KLIA gives the first impression for visitors. Malaysia Airports has already made improvements, such as offering complimentary drinks upon arrival and speeding up baggage collection and immigration clearance for Malaysians using the MyBorderPass App,' she said. However, she said the aerotrain service needs to be up and running as soon as possible, as shuttle buses are inconvenient, especially for families. 'During peak travel times, waiting times for shuttle buses can be long,' she added. Malaysian Tourism Federation president Datuk Tan Kok Liang noted that while the aerotrain was important, there is a broader need to ensure comprehensive infrastructure and service readiness. 'We hope the tourism industry and government can work together to achieve the goals set,' he said. Malaysia-China Chamber of Commerce president Loo Kok Seong said Malaysia's position as Asean chair this year would see more diplomatic and business visitors arriving. 'Given the growing number of exchanges, we must complete the aerotrain upgrades swiftly,' he said. After a two-year hiatus, the KLIA Terminal 1 aerotrain is expected to resume operations soon. Transport Minister Anthony Loke has announced a media test run next week to preview the service before it officially reopens. In January, Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd managing director Datuk Mohd Izani Ghani announced that the KLIA aerotrain, was expected to be operational by the second quarter of 2025.
The Star
19-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
New horizons for tourism
Entertainment industry highlighted as 'growth point' for economy PETALING JAYA: Experiential tourism is what Malaysia should aim to excel in during its next phase of development, say industry experts. This form of tourism – centred on dining, eco-adventures and immersive entertainment – has strong potential to attract increasing interest from both regional and long-haul travellers in the lead-up to Visit Malaysia 2026. Malaysian Inbound Tourism Association (Mita) president Mint Leong described Visit Malaysia 2026 as a key opportunity to propel the industry forward. She noted that foreign visitors are increasingly drawn to dining and entertainment options, while hotel occupancy rates continue to reflect the strength of domestic tourism. 'This trend will help enhance the overall tourism economy and lay the foundation for the 2026 tourism year,' said Leong. She added that analysing consumer patterns from major source markets is essential for crafting targeted promotional strategies. 'For instance, Singaporean visitors tend to favour weekend trips to Johor and Melaka,' said Leong. Beyond attractions, Malaysia aims to boost spending through shopping and entertainment. 'The entertainment industry is becoming a new growth point for the tourism economy. High-level concerts, e-sports events and commercial exhibitions are expected to attract foreign visitors and engage local youth,' she said. Malaysia Inbound Chinese Association (Mica) president Datuk Dr Angie Ng also pointed to a shift in tourism trends – from traditional sightseeing to high-end consumption and niche experiences. She noted the rise of business delegations, incentive travel, and medical tourism, all of which have significantly increased visitor spending. As Asean Chair this year, Malaysia has hosted numerous international conferences, contributing to a surge in visitor numbers. 'Besides business inspection tours, medical and educational tourism are experiencing explosive growth,' said Ng. Eco-tourism and distinctive offerings such as jungle exploration and nature-based education continue to attract Chinese travellers. Ng also highlighted the growing number of Chinese Muslim visitors, with Malaysia offering a welcoming environment through halal dining options and accessible prayer facilities. Social media platforms like Xiaohongshu (known in English as RedNote) in China are helping promote Malaysia's culinary and travel experiences, further supporting the local tourism economy. 'The government is open to industry input, aiming to implement more effective promotional activities and develop educational tourism initiatives such as summer camps and survival experiences,' she added. According to Tourism Malaysia, the country recorded 2.98 million international visitor arrivals in March 2025, marking a 13% increase from February. Singapore led with 1.4 million visitors, followed by China (333,045) and Indonesia (331,555). Thailand and Brunei contributed 189,036 and 102,549 visitors respectively, while India recorded 98,910 arrivals. The top 10 list was completed by the Philippines, South Korea, Britain and Japan. This continued growth signals a steady recovery in Malaysia's tourism sector as the country moves through 2025. Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) president Nigel Wong said the Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign presents a pivotal platform to engage international visitors. He added that travel agencies are working closely with the government through trade missions and other initiatives. 'Promotions are crucial, so we urge the government to ensure marketing efforts are directed towards the right customer segments,' he said. Wong also suggested revitalising incentives for travel agents to promote inbound and domestic tourism, such as tax exemptions for those who bring in significant visitor numbers. 'For a modest investment, these incentives can fuel vigorous promotions and increase visitor spending, yielding a substantial return,' he said. He also called for stronger collaboration between the public and private sectors, especially with key industry bodies like the Malaysian Association of Hotels. Identifying China and India as major growth markets, Wong said, 'China remains undertapped, while India – with its burgeoning middle class and spending power – holds significant potential.' He encouraged diversification into long-haul markets, pointing to countries like the Netherlands and the Czech Republic, where travellers show interest in Malaysia's climate and cultural diversity.
