SEPANG: Malaysia celebrated a significant milestone in its tourism industry as Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing, along with representatives from China Eastern Airlines and Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad, 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, symbolising 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,” it said through a statement.
“Since the implementation of the visa-free policy for Chinese travellers on Dec 1, 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 per cent 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.
The ministry under the leadership of Tiong remains dedicated to forming strategic partnerships and collaborations with international airlines to boost promotional efforts and stimulate travel demand from China.
