By Yasmin Ahmad Zukiman

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 8  -- The government is urged to review the implementation of visa on arrival (VoA) for Chinese and Indian tourists in the 2020 Budget to increase the arrival of visitors in conjunction with the Visit Malaysia Year 2020 (TMM2020).

President of the Malaysian Inbound Tourism Association, Uzaidi Udanis, said that while the VoA visa fee was reduced from RM330 to RM200, its implementation still burdened tourists from both countries.

"VoA should be provided for free to tourists because when they come to Malaysia they will have to spend. If the government can review the VoA implementation, it will attract more tourists into the country," he told Bernama.

Uzaidi also hoped that the government could review regulations related to the tourism industry from time to time, especially involving new services introduced by accommodation and e-hailing companies.

He said cooperation between the government and the service companies was needed to enhance tourism promotions.

Meanwhile, Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) deputy president Mohd Akil Yusof urged the government to give more focus on the promotional aspects of the industry, especially involving digital marketing and advertising in the 2020 Budget.

He said promotions on digital mediums including social media will help boost the TMM2020 campaign to highlight places of interest to tourists.

“The social media plays a very important role nowadays in promoting the country as an attractive tourism destination, through videos and interactive content,” he said.

Malaysian Association of Bumiputra Tours and Travel Agents (Bumitra) Vice President (Overseas Tourism) Shamsulnidza Mudari hoped the government would upgrade the public infrastructure especially in the tourist-focused areas and states.

According to him, several aspects should be noted including public toilet cleanliness and transportation such as the ferry service in Langkawi which is said to be too crowded especially during the school holidays.

-- BERNAMA