Malaysia welcomes back Middle Eastern tourists after a pandemic absence

Following two years of pandemic restrictions, Malaysia is bringing back travellers from the Middle East, with tourism operators anticipating a surge in visitors, particularly those travelling for family vacations.

Following the reopening of the country's borders in April to allow quarantine-free travel, Malaysia's tourism ministry has increased its advertising efforts in an attempt to lure 2 million overseas visitors this year.

"We just returned from the Arabian Go Market, and we saw how eager they are to travel," Mohmed Razip Hajji Hasan, director-general of the Islamic Tourism Center, a ministry-run body, told Arab News.

"People want to travel again, and our industry participants may take advantage of the reopening of borders to capture this niche market, which is recognised for staying longer and spending more."

The coronavirus epidemic halted Malaysia's tourism economy, and this year's aim is more than ten times lower than the 26.1 million visitors it received in 2019.

Malaysia has been a top destination for travellers from the Middle East since 2015, according to the Global Muslim Travel Index.

Hasan stated that the ministry is collaborating with airlines, tour companies, and hoteliers to provide privacy and safe spaces for families travelling to the Middle East.

Omar Hameed, manager of the Al-Diuf Al-Arabia Tourism and Travel firm, believes Malaysian tourism would pick up by next month, when many Middle Eastern countries' school seasons end.
The government does not require visas for many travellers from the region.

"By then, it would be Malaysia's prime tourism season, since most Middle Eastern families will want to spend their vacation here," he told Arab News.
"It's not as congested as it is in Indonesia."

However, others in the hospitality industry believe that the country still has difficulties to overcome before it can be considered a pleasant destination.

"Many people adore Malaysia, but sadly some of the minor details need to be addressed," said Alaa A., proprietor of Hadramot House, a Yemeni restaurant in Bukit Bintang, a posh retail district in Kuala Lumpur popular with Middle Eastern visitors.

He mentioned the issues that visitors have with taxi drivers who refuse to utilise metres and instead try to charge significantly higher fixed fees.