Thailand welcomes 12 million tourists in four months – Malaysians second biggest group after Chinese visitors

BANGKOK (The Nation Thailand/ANN): Thailand has welcomed more than 12 million foreign tourists during the first four months of this year, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has announced to the media. The TAT said 12,127,447 foreign tourists entered Thailand from January 1 to April 30, an increase of 142.87% from the same period last year. According...

Govt easing MM2H conditions to attract more applicants, says Zahid

KLUANG: The government has decided to ease the conditions for the Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) programme to attract more applicants, says Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. The Deputy Prime Minister said, however, that the revision of conditions would not compromise national security. “The matter was decided in the tourism and culture Cabinet committee meeting that...

More to join MM2H with proposed relaxed rules, says Tiong

KUALA LUMPUR: More foreign nationals are expected to join the Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) programme as the government is looking into relaxing some requirements, says Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing (pic). The Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister said this is in line with last year's Budget 2024 announcement where Putrajaya said it wanted to make...

MM2H agents become jittery as March 31 looms

PETALING JAYA: The Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry plans to regulate Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) agents, requiring all of them to re-register but the update of their operating licence has been on hold since Dec 15 last year, leading to uncertainty among many agents. MM2H Consultants Association president Anthony Liew said members were instead given...

‘Langkawi losing its lustre’

PUTRAJAYA: Langkawi has lost its appeal, says Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing (pic). Despite the government having made substantial investments to promote the island as a top tourist destination, the numbers are low, said the Tourism, Arts, and Culture Minister. Tiong expressed his concerns about Langkawi, stating that it has lost its appeal in the eyes of...

Plan early for cheap travel, say tourism groups

PETALING JAYA: Local travel may cost more these days, but there is a reason for it, say tourism industry players, as they offer tips on ways to cut costs and get more bang for your buck. Malaysian Inbound Tourism Association (MITA) president Mint Leong said the cost of things such as food and accommodations are higher...

Is it Tiong’s way to promote Malaysian tourism through intoxication, asks PN MP

KUALA LUMPUR: A Perikatan Nasional MP asked if the Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister had his own “way” of promoting Malaysian tourism by promoting the culture of “intoxication and dancing publicly”. Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin (PN-Masjid Tanah) also said other countries were envious of the "Malaysia Truly Asia" tagline as it promotes polite Malaysian culture. “The previous...

Nice for MICE: Sabah Convention Bureau to take off by year’s end

KOTA KINABALU: A Sabah Convention Bureau will be launched by the end of the year to promote the state as a preferred destination for MICE (meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions) events, says Datuk Christina Liew. The state Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister said the bureau will be placed under her ministry. "We welcome any form of collaborative...

Joint task forces with Thailand a boon for Malaysia’s agriculture, tourism sectors

KUALA LUMPUR: The formation of several task forces between Malaysia and Thailand is a timely move to boost agricultural cooperation and promote tourism in both countries. Malaysian Padi Farmers Brotherhood Organisation (PeSawah) special functions exco Abdul Rashid Yob said through the task forces, Malaysia would be able to gain knowledge and new ideas, learn from Thai...

Sabah tourism on track for strong comeback, says Hajiji

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah is showing signs of a strong comeback in terms of tourist arrivals after the pandemic with the state recording a hotel occupancy rate average of over 50% for the past six months, says Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor. "Even as we speak, visitor arrivals continue to show strong growth in 2023, with overall visitor...