The business events sector between Malaysia and China is poised for significant growth this year, thanks to a new reciprocal visa-free policy which commenced on December 1, 2023.
Malaysians can enjoy 15 days of visa-free entry to China for business, holidays, or visiting relatives and friends, reciprocated by Malaysia offering a 30-day visa-free entry for Chinese citizens. This positive development aligns with the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations.
Industry stakeholders told TTGmice that the reciprocal visa-free policies are helping to foster tourism and benefitting both business events and leisure tourists in both countries.
Mint Leong, managing director of Sunflower Holidays, disclosed that her company has secured several significant incentive groups from China, each exceeding 1000 delegates, scheduled to visit Kuala Lumpur from March 2024 onwards.
Additionally, Sunflower Holidays has also received numerous incentive inquiries for group sizes averaging 500, to popular destinations including Kuala Lumpur, Genting, Penang, Langkawi, and Sabah.
She noted that these developments were a stark difference from last year, where “business events volume from China was slow, with only a few bookings received for group sizes averaging around 250 delegates”.
As for outbound groups to China, Leong shared that China’s weak renminbi and flight accessibility has generated interest from the Malaysian corporate sector for incentive travel, where corporates will start travelling from March onwards.
She added: “We are now seeking Chinese partners to promote off-the-beaten-track places such as Suzhou and Wuxi for both business events and leisure segments.”
Adam Kamal, general manager at Suka Travel & Tours, a specialist in the Muslim business events outbound segment, told TTGmice he has received numerous inquiries for incentives in China, where bookings are anticipated to materialise in May, following the Hari Raya celebrations in April.
At the state level, Penang Tourism and Creative Economy committee chairman Wong Hon Wai shared that there were plans afoot to organise roadshows with Penang’s industry players in China this year, aiming to further promote Penang as a business events and leisure destination.
