According to a recent report by Standard Chartered Global Research, Malaysia had the fastest tourism recovery among its regional peers. In 2022, Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam recovered an average of 60 percent of tourist arrivals compared to 2019 levels. Malaysia recovered 92 percent of tourist arrivals compared to 2019 levels, primarily driven by tourists from Singapore. However, tourist arrivals from China and Hong Kong were more muted due to China’s stringent border control policies, reaching approximately 18.4 percent of pre-pandemic levels in 2022.
In 2023, Malaysia looks to attract 5 million to 6 million Chinese tourists following China’s relaxation of its border control policies. In April, the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture (MOTAC) signed agreements with two tour agencies in China, projected to bring 450,000 tourists to Malaysia. However, the number of Chinese tourists in Malaysia has been lower than expected due to an insufficient number of flights between China and Malaysia and high travel costs. According to Tourism, Arts, and Culture Minister Tiong King Sing, Malaysia is working to increase the number of flights between China and Malaysia as well as ease visa application procedures. Malaysia anticipates receiving an influx of tourists during China’s summer holidays in July.
