The number of tourists from China has risen from 516,160 during the first half of last year to more than 560,000 for the same period this year, Tourism Deputy Minister Datuk Dr James Dawos Mamit said. Parliamentarian however hoped the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry could conduct a study on the matter of Chinese tourists misusing their social visit and student visas.
Answering Datuk Mohamed Aziz's (BN-Seri Gading) supplementary question at the Dewan Rakyat here today, he said Malaysia's success in promoting its tourism sector in China was evident from the RM2 billion to RM3.1 billion increase in spending by Chinese tourists between January and June of 2010 and 2011 respectively.
Mohamed had wanted to know the figures for the inflow of Chinese tourists and the ministry's efforts in promoting the sector.
"The Ministry is collaborating with the private sector to carry out the 'Malaysia Truly Asia-Luxury Malaysia' campaign to maintain the country as a preferred destination for Chinese tourists by offering quality tour products," he said.
In a related question Datuk Ibrahim Ali (Independent-Pasir Mas) wanted to know the average expenditure of the tourists during their visit and brought up the issue of social problems caused by some of them.
Dawos informed him a Chinese tourist spent an average of RM3,000 during their visit, almost on par with European nationals who spent RM3,500 per person.
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