SEPANG, 28 July 2024 – Malaysia celebrated a significant milestone in its tourism industry as YB Dato Sri Tiong King Sing, Minister of Tourism, Arts, and Culture, along with representatives from China Eastern Airlines and Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB), warmly welcomed passengers on the inaugural flight from Yantai to Kuala Lumpur. The aircraft received a ceremonial water salute upon its arrival at Kuala Lumpur International Airport, symbolizing the strong ties between the two destinations.

China Eastern Airlines' new route connecting Yantai and Kuala Lumpur is set to operate twice a week using an Airbus A320, which accommodates 152 passengers. This new connection is poised to significantly enhance tourist traffic and strengthen bilateral relations between Malaysia and China.

Since the implementation of the visa-free policy for Chinese travellers on 1 December 2023, Malaysia has witnessed a remarkable surge in tourist arrivals. As of May 2024, the country has welcomed 1,185,050 visitors from China, reflecting an astounding 194% increase compared to the same period in 2023, which recorded 403,121 arrivals.

The introduction of this new route presents an excellent opportunity to attract more tourists from various cities across China. Tourism Malaysia remains dedicated to forming strategic partnerships and collaborations with international airlines to boost promotional efforts and stimulate travel demand from China.

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About Tourism Malaysia

Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board, also known as Tourism Malaysia, is an agency under the Ministry of Tourism, Arts & Culture Malaysia. It focuses on the specific task of promoting Malaysia as a preferred tourism destination.

Since its inception, it has emerged as a major player in the international tourism scene. The next Visit Malaysia Year, set to take place in 2026, will commemorate the sustainability of the nation's tourism industry, which is also in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG).

Furthermore, Tourism Malaysia actively endorses the Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT), working towards the realisation of the IMT-GT Visiting Year 2023-2025, with the shared aim of promoting the region as a unified tourism destination. For more information, visit Tourism Malaysia’s social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and TikTok.

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