KL woos Indian, Chinese tourists

KL woos Indian, Chinese tourists

KUALA LUMPUR (DPA): Malaysia is wooing tourists from China and India by easing visa rules in an effort to boost flagging tourist arrivals and bring in much-needed capital, a published report said yesterday.

The Immigration Department will soon allow multiple-entry visas for Chinese nationals, and drop an existing requirement for Indian visitors to first meet with Malaysian embassy officials before their visas can be granted, the Star daily newspaper said.

The daily quoted a senior immigration official, Muhammad Haron, as saying that the move was in line with the government's drive to woo more foreign visitors during the current economic downturn.

Travel agents welcomed the move, saying it would give a fillip to the tourism industry as visitors from the two countries usually travel in groups.