Selangor Aims To Hit 7 Million Tourist Influx By 2025, Strengthening Ties With China
Selangor Strengthen Ties with China through a Sales Mission in China
SELANGOR, 1 April 2024 — For three consecutive years, the State of Selangor has attracted tourists from China the most, compared to other Southeast Asian market. In 2023, the state saw an influx of 352,001 Chinese tourists, marking a 73% surge from the 203,615 visitors in 2022. Underscored by the remarkable growth, Selangor has ramped up its promotional strategies, by executing a targeted sales mission in China from 17th to 26th of March 2024.
Led by Dato’ Ng Suee Lim, the Executive Council Member for Local Government and Tourism, the delegations from Tourism Malaysia and Tourism Selangor has embarked on a sales mission across China, targeting the cities of Dalian, Shenyang, Changchun, and Harbin. These cities, boasting a combined population exceeding 25 million has gathered over 500 potential buyers and travel agents. This mission has provided a platform for the tourism product operators from Selangor to present their offerings, aiming to tap into the vast market potential.
This sales mission is further enhanced with a collaboration with several major tourism agencies such as Dalian Tourism Comittee and Development Association, Heilongjiang Foreign Affairs Office and Xiamen Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism. This partnership is expected to open new avenues for promotional activities, including Familiarisation Trips, content marketing and Business to Business opportunities, further solidifying Selangor’s position in the Chinese market.
Tourism Selangor has also partnered with Tourism Malaysia’s Beijing and Shanghai bases to target more direct flight arrivals from China by Malaysian Airlines and China Airlines such as Air China, China Eastern Airlines, China Southern Airlines, Xiamen Air, Loong Air and Spring Airlines. Currently around 327 flight frequencies are scheduled in a week between Malaysia and China.
The Honourable Dato’ Ng Suee Lim, the EXCO of Local Government and Tourism in a statement said, the interests of Chinese tourists with Selangor’s tourism attractions is a clear indicator of the state’s growing appeal and the strong ties we are building with China. This partnership not only signifies our commitment to welcoming more visitors but also highlights Selangor as a vibrant and dynamic destination, ready to offer unique experiences to international tourists.
Given that theme parks are a major attraction for tourists from China, Tourism Selangor has highlighted several key destinations, including Sunway Lagoon Theme Park and SplashMania Water Theme Park, along with FunPark @ Gamuda Luge Garden. Additionally, for those interested in ecotourism and agrotourism, attractions like the Sky Mirror and Sekinchan have been showcased to prospective buyers and travel agents in China.
In line with the Selangor’s tourism promotional campaign, “Splendid Selangor, Take Me Anywhere!”, the State of Selangor welcomes the opportunity to collaborate with international agencies and travel agents to increase business opportunities, especially towards the Visit Selangor Year 2025 and reaching the targets of 7 million tourists influx by next year.
-FARAZUHA ARIPIN /Dino
