Chongqing - The "Nihao! Chongqing" Malaysian Travel Agents Promotion and Negotiation Meeting was held on July 25 in Southwest China's Chongqing. Nearly 60 representatives from over 40 travel agencies from Malaysia and Indonesia engaged in "one-on-one" business negotiations with representatives from Chongqing's scenic spots, hotels, and other cultural and tourism enterprises, resulting in several intended cooperations.

The "Nihao! Chongqing" Malaysian Travel Agents Promotion and Negotiation Conference was held on July 25 at the Wuling Cultural Tourism Promotion Center in Southwest China's Chongqing. (Photo/Chongqing Window of International Culture and Tourism)

In June this year, China and Malaysia announced a mutual extension of their visa-free policies. China agreed to extend the visa exemption for Malaysian citizens until the end of 2025, while Malaysia will extend the visa-free policy for Chinese citizens until the end of 2026.

The Chongqing Municipal Commission of Culture and Tourism Development is seizing this opportunity to guide and support market entities in actively connecting with Malaysian tourism and aviation companies, deepening practical cooperation, and expanding the Malaysian inbound tourism market. 

On July 20, Malaysia's Firefly Airlines launched a direct flight from Chongqing to Kuala Lumpur. The inaugural flight saw over 100 tourists and more than 30 Malaysian travel agents arrive in Chongqing. Following this, on July 22, Chongqing's first direct flight to Penang took off, marking the only direct route from China's central and western regions to Penang, with over 150 tourists and 20 Malaysian and Indonesian travel agents onboard.

The group photo of the Malaysia(Penang) - Chongqing first flight travel agents and media visit VIP group. (Photo/Chongqing Window of International Culture and Tourism)

Several travel agent representatives at the meeting expressed that Chongqing's rich cultural and tourism resources are highly recognized in Malaysia. With the opening of the direct flight from Chongqing to Penang and the increased frequency of flights to Kuala Lumpur, the attractiveness of Chongqing as a travel destination for Malaysian and Indonesian citizens is expected to rise significantly. Upon returning home, they plan to actively design and promote Chongqing travel products and itineraries to attract more tourists to Chongqing. It is understood that many travel agencies in Chongqing have already signed one-two year charter tourism cooperation agreements with partners in Malaysia and Indonesia.

According to Ctrip data, Malaysia ranks as the fourth-largest source of inbound tourists to China as of June this year. Orders for Malaysian tourists visiting China have increased more than fourfold compared to last year, with Chongqing being one of the top ten favorite Chinese cities for Malaysian tourists. Data shows that in the first half of this year, overnight Malaysian tourists accounted for approximately 16% of Chongqing's total inbound overnight tourists, making Malaysia the city's top source of tourists.