KUALA LUMPUR: Businesses and tourism-based industry players have supported the call for Malaysia to consider expanding visa-on-arrival for all tourists.
A total of 11 players, in a joint statement, said at the moment, Malaysia was standing equally with the rest of the nation, and the unique opportunities should be seized to immediately attract tourists with our enhanced tourist arrival procedures.
They said the authorities should embrace technological advancements that would allow for efficiency and secure visa-on-arrival issuance.
"There has never been a better time than now when all countries are starting at the same starting line. We must not miss this once-in-a-lifetime, golden opportunity.
"Technology has enabled the efficiency and possibility of issuing visa-on-arrival securely and we must embrace these tools immediately and not to miss this time window of "revenge-tourism".
"Proven technology is widely available, and many countries are able to securely operate visa-on-arrival for visitors and tourists to their respective locations," the industry players added.
Among the players include Federation of Malaysia Business Associations, Malaysia Shopping Malls Association, Bumiputra Retailers Organisation, Malaysian Association of Theme Parks & Family Attractions, Malaysia Retailers Associations and Malaysian Association of Hotel Owners.
Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Tiong King Sing on Wednesday suggested Malaysia to consider expanding the visa-on-arrival for travellers from all countries to remain competitive in the global tourism industry.
Tiong said the country should be sensitive to market trends and allow such initiatives as the local tourism industry was still recovering from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.
He said security should not be used as a pretext to hinder tourist arrivals.