Matta targets to draw 4 million tourists from China to M'sia next year

The Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (Matta) is optimistic of achieving the target of four million visitors from China for next year.

Its president Datuk Hamzah Rahmat said this could be achieved through the new Shenzhen Airlines flight trip to Kuala Lumpur daily, (one flight each day) which started on Dec 9.

"This is the re-entry (second time) of Shenzhen Airlines to Malaysia, after six years because they see the high potential of tourism and trade here, and also the increasing tourists who opt to visit our country.

"This will create a wider opportunity for those in the hospitality industry here in Malaysia and also for economic growth," he told reporters after a networking dinner with Chinese outbound agents from Shenzhen, China, here Wednesday.

Hamzah said Matta is also considering the operation of direct flights to Penang and Johor Bahru.

"In a way, the visitors will have the chance the visit the other states of Malaysia instead of the city centre only," he added.

Meanwhile, the airline's sales manager Wang Xizhang said they are excited with the re-entry and hoping to increase the flight frequencies to Kuala Lumpur.

"Shenzhen is near to Hong Kong and its a strategic venue too whereby they can use our service for their Malaysia trips," he said.

Adding on the reasons why China tourists do love Malaysia, Xizhang said it is because of the food, no language barrier, good weather and also as a shopping destination. - BERNAMA