Tourism Malaysia to boost partnership with international airlines to attract more tourists

He said Tourism Malaysia is currently ramping up its marketing efforts to lure tourists from West Asia by launching roadshows in Iran, Oman and Qatar from May 13 to 21 in conjunction with Malaysia's border reopening.

"As we welcome more West Asia travellers back to Malaysia, it is a timely occasion to strengthen our partnership with international airlines such as Qatar Airways, Oman Air and Mahan Air, which offer direct flights to Kuala Lumpur," he said in a statement today.

Zainuddin, who is leading the tour, said the roadshows brought together Malaysia's tourism fraternity consisting of travel agents, hoteliers, product owners, state tourism bodies and medical tourism industry players, to the capital cities of Tehran, Muscat and Doha.

"Apart from formal briefings and presentations on Malaysia's tourism industry, travel trade partners from the West Asian market will have the opportunities to attend travel mart sessions and networking dinners to develop new partnerships with their Malaysian counterparts," he said.

He said travellers from the West Asia market dominated the top five international tourists spending in Malaysia in terms of per capita expenditure besides recording longer average lengths of stay compared to tourists from other markets.

Starting May 1, 2022, fully-vaccinated inbound travellers are no longer required to undergo pre-departure and on-arrival COVID-19 tests, including children aged 12 and below as well as for those who have been infected with COVID-19 within six to 60 days before departure to Malaysia.

Travel insurance is also not a prerequisite for foreigners entering the country. Wearing of masks outdoors is now optional but still mandatory indoors, including in shopping malls, offices, public transportation and e-hailing rides.