Kota Kinabalu: The state capital is set to gain from Federal Government's move to waive the requirement of visa for group tourists from China, with effect from October 1.The announcement has excited businesses here depending on tourism, particularly the Chinese market.The latest tourism arrival figures from China for the first quarter of 2015 show a decline of 27.1 per cent or 326,799 tourists less compared with the corresponding period in 2014. This translates to a loss of RM1.1 billion in tourism receipts. Malls here need more customers.
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Malaysian Association of Tour & Travel Agents (Matta) Vic President (Inbound) Datuk Tan Kok Liang opined: "This will boost tourism in secondary destinations and rekindle charter flights from China."Chinese tourists travelling to Sabah via Kota Kinabalu and other parts of Malaysia via KLIA, KLIA2, Bayan Lepas in Penang, Senai, Kuching and Langkawi would be granted temporary social visit passes or a visa-free period for 15 days beginning October.These temporary social pass holders would not be allowed to apply for other permits or passes, and the pass would only be granted for those travelling on direct flights from China to Malaysia. The tourists must also have a return flight ticket.Sandakan and other secondary destinations in Sabah are hopeful for a share of the China tourist revenue going into 2016.
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Federal Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz had announced in June that the Federal Cabinet had agreed to grant the visa-free facility to group tourists from the China after September."Visa-free or temporary social pass will only be granted to tourists from China travelling with tour operators registered with the Tourism and Culture Ministry. The group must consist of at least 20 people.
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"The temporary social pass will be limited to 15 days for each entry into Malaysia and no extension will be granted," said Tourism Malaysia Chairman Wee Choo Keong."The applicants for the temporary social pass must provide proof in the form of cash, credit cards, ATM cards with the UnionPay logo, and details about place of residence at the time of arrival."In the event that any tourist under this category fails to return or violates any conditions set by the Ministry, the tour operator will be fined RM1,500 per tourist."In addition, any tour operator that violates the conditions three times or more will be blacklisted and barred from bringing in any more tourists from China," Wee said.This has riled Matta and Tan objected to tour operators being fined RM1,500 (US$356) per tourist should they fail to return or violate any conditions set by the ministry.Tan said: "Travel consultants should not be penalised as their intentions to run group tours are good but those who overstayed were beyond their control. If they are to be penalised, it will only cause fear for the tour operator."Tan advised that further relaxation of the temporary social pass was required. "The group size should be reduced to a minimum of 10 people as Chinese travel patterns have changed with group sizes getting much smaller."There are more rich millionaires from China travelling today with their families. The issue is not about paying the visa application fee of RMB80 (US$12.52) charged by the Malaysian government and a further RMB120 as service fee for visa processing, but rather the hassle of applying for a visa," Tan stressed.Meanwhile, Tourism Malaysia Chairman Wee questioned the service charge imposed by the one-stop centre for Malaysian visas in China as he said every tourist from China has to pay a visa application fee of RMB80 (RM53) charged by the Malaysian government, and another RMB120 (RM79) as a service fee to an outfit known as SPPV One Stop Centre."SPPV One Stop Centre has been jointly operated by Ultra Kirana Sdn Bhd and Beijing Lingxiang International Entry and Exit Service Co Ltd. This one-stop centre processed a minimum of 1,500 applicants every day," he said.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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