Sin Chew Daily
During the October 1 Golden Week in China, there were some seven million Chinese outbound tourists traveling out of the country. However, compared to the corresponding period last year, the number of Chinese tourists visiting Malaysia this year fell by a whopping 35%, a far cry from what the tourism ministry had anticipated.
Malaysia has always been one of the most favorite destinations for Chinese outbound tourists, and the drastic drop in tourist arrivals is anything but alarming.
The tourist industry is Malaysia's third largest foreign exchange earning contributor, after manufacturing and primary industries. Unfortunately we have missed the golden opportunity to woo the enormous army of Chinese tourists to our shores.
According to local travel industry operators, this is the first time we have seen a decline in the number of tourists from China during their Golden Week holidays. During the same period last year, some 180,000 Chinese nationals came to Malaysia for vacation, remarkably boosting the local hotel, retail and transport sectors.
It is a worrisome trend given the fact Malaysia is among the top ten holiday destinations for Chinese nationals and the number of Chinese outbound tourists is steadily increasing over the years.
If we are unable to grab a sizeable share of this lucrative pie, our tourist receipts as well as related industries will take the brunt, and this does not augur well for the country's economic development.
According to international media analysis, there is a strong correlation between China's diplomatic relations and the number of tourists in a particular country. For instance, fewer Chinese nationals are visiting the United States in the height of the Sino-American trade war, while Japan has emerged as the top destination for Chinese tourists this year following a warming of ties between the two countries
The decision by the new Pakatan Harapan government to cancel or review major Chinese investment projects has put a brake on the healthy growth of bilateral relationship, and this has probably suppressed the willingness of Chinese tourists to come to this country.
Despite the fact the government has anticipated a surge in the number of Chinese tourists to spearhead the local tourist industry, and the relevant operators have readied themselves for the influx, including stationing of airport staff well versed in Mandarin Chinese at KLIA, the arrival number remains disappointing. The tourism ministry needs to find out the reason for the stagnant growth.
Travel operators claim that the local tourist industry has been suffering since the 14th general elections, while the newly appointed tourism minister fails to introduce new strategies to stimulate the industry and lure foreign tourists. The government has also not provided new incentives to the related industries.
Lack of new elements in our tourist attractions is also to be blamed for a lack of returning tourists. Although Chinese tourists love Malaysia's diverse cultural heritage, gourmet food and natural scenery, we fail to come up with novel ideas and themes to woo them back.
The tourism ministry should seriously look into foreign tourists' needs and experiences instead of taking a passive stance to wait for them to come back.
With a pro-american DAP in power along with pro-amerian PKR the Malaysia-China relationship is going to get worse. Malaysia just released 11 Chinese citizens of Uyghur descent to Turkey... which has NO claim whatsoever since they are not Turkish citizens....just another match to destroy Malaysia-China relationship. For good.
ReplyDeleteYes the 94% Chinese Malaysians voted to be anti-China. So bear the future consequences when a EVEN MORE pro-USA Anwar/DAP govt arises....(with Mahathir gone). Look at Ukraine, Georgia, Poland etc to see what is in store for Chinese Malaysians with rise of pro-USA govt. It is not pretty for Chinese Malaysians. Those nincompoop 94% voted to be re-discriminated on a massive scale again.
The first wave of anti-Chinese Malaysian discrimination was the post-Vietnam War era. Who were governing Malaysia then? Yes, your Mahathir and Anwar....under American patronage....(China was weak then and disinterested in SEA AND COULD NOT HELP CHINESE MALAYSIANS)
The second wave coming? Mahathir and Anwar rule again under American patronage 2018. This time China is stronger BUT will IGNORE THE PLIGHT OF THE CHINESE MALAYSIANS SINCE THEY VOTED AGAINST CHINA WITH OUSTER OF PRO-CHINA NAJIB.
Now let the 94% suffer the consequences with rising China walking away from Malaysia.
After watching this video clip on You Tube, the thought crossed my mind that U.S. imperialism won GE14.
Deletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L4ilMqtkJJo
This is why I have never trusted the various pro-Pakatan or anti-BN NGOs, however seemingly "left" wing they portray themselves to be.
Sure, we have domestic political issues with the BN and justifiably so, but we also have to be careful of seeming foreign "friends" who claim to support us in the name of "democracy". "human rights". "freedom", etc.
The British colonised much of Malaya by helping one sultan defeat another in return for the winner accepting a British "Advisor" or British Resident who de-facto dictated terms.
Stamford Raffles exploited the greivance of a Johor prince who felt that he should have been Johor sultan instead of his brother, so Raffles made this prince sultan of Singapore in return for him signing away Singapore to the British East India company, as shon in the first 10 minutes of this video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okvz-i_-9dY&list=PLB8XiaS85EkFHrAKTgBnkIAKjJ76Tmj7n
This is how modern imperialism works by exploiting domestic political grievances.
The US will do their damn best to maintain their taikor status and will tamp down in whatever possible the upstart China whom it sees as trying to even dare to come close. Their philosophy is what I can do, you cannot do. What I cannot do, you also cannot do. Typical of a bully, right ?
DeleteThis opinion piece by Robert Kaplan asserted that South China Sea is not the home water of the US. It's China's. Geography does matter :
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/global-opinions/wp/2018/10/09/how-president-trump-is-helping-beijing-win-in-the-south-china-sea/?utm_term=.6ff267c032ea
Wakakakakakakaka
DeleteAhjib and BN Pro-China? More like pro-RM $$$$ to me, woh.
Forgotten to mention Pro-Arab (Petro Saudi, IPIC, Mubadallah and Pro-American/Jewish/Swiss/UK (Boeing, Goldman Sachs, Deutzh Bank, Falcon Bank, Tanore Finance).
The 6% Chinese who voted PAS and BN must surely be also Pro- RM $$$$$$$ depending on which country has the most Moolah for "Satu Lagi Projek untuk Kita".
Mahathir under American patronage ?
DeleteYou have to be joking. Mahathir PM 4 was the most anti-American Malaysian Prime Minister ever, before or since. In fact, I think he had an allergy against all English-speaking coutries.
Buy British last, boycott Australia, downgrading ties with USA...
yet he had a Jewish American Jack Abramoff arranged a photo ops with Bush Jnr for him - millions were paid to the lobbyist
Deletestop your dedak bull
Mahahtir anti-American my foot!! That was good for photo-ops to win elections in Malay-Malaysia obsessed with Palestine issue. And he and his family loves holidays in London.
Deletehttp://www.abc.net.au/news/2006-12-15/malaysian-ex-premier-mahathir-and-billionaire/2154878
Mahathir joined Pakatan, slept with pro-american PKR and DAP operatives, collaborated with Americans solely to overthrow Najib. Question in my mind is: Did Singapore agents also collaborated with Pakatan/DAP/USA to overthrow Najib? My suspicion is YES, Singapore stabbed and participated in the overthrow of Najib despite Najib's friendly overtures in settling amicably the Malayan Railway land, Pedra Branca and water issue. Those issues were already settled by May 9....except 2 issues of profound importance to Singapore's future. Yes, the ECRL issue and Pengerang Petrochemical Complex.
Reasons:
1. Singapore Press allowed to demonise Najib for 10 years with many 'expose' about Rosmah and Najib hitting headlines EVERY WEEK in Singapore Press. This is to brainwash Chinese Malaysians working in Singapore that BN needs to be overthrown. It was a subliminal propaganda by Singapore which had long association with DAP in Malaysia.
2. Singapore closed an eye to Bersih protests TWICE in Singapore. Never touched Chinese Malaysian protestors.....
2. ECRL was a threat to Singapore economy. It had to be stopped at all cost. So overthrow Najib to stop ECRL. It is that simple. YES that project now cancelled by LGE under false anti-China pretext.
3. Pengerang petrochemical complex: Saudis joint venture with Petronas. Saudis supply the oil. Hence to need to pump oil from Port Klang/Malacca through Johor oil pipeline to Pengerang. The pipeline must be stopped. Overthrow Najib, get DAP agents to cancel Malacca-Johor oil pipeline. YES that pipleline has been cancelled by LGE using anti-China pretext.
4. KL-SIN High Speed Railway suspended 2 years for $15 million fine is peanuts when DAP achieved cancellation of ECRL that was a threat to Singapore. Imagine the economic damage to Singapore once China achieves bypass of Singapore ports via ECRL
So did Harapan betray MALAYSIA by colluding with Americans to overthrow pro-China Najib and BN? YES
I find it totally hilarious that some people actually think Mahathir is pro-US.
DeleteThe money paid to Abramoff was to arrange a meeting - because Mahathir had allowed the US relationship to fester so far. His relationship with the Clinton Administration was icy.
Maybe due to the religious public canning in Trengganu and Pahang and the banning of Octoberfest festivals?
ReplyDeleteWhy not ask the Holier than Thou culprits for solutions?
Pity the China tourists.... they have to go where their government puts the "stamp of approval", not so much where they would enjoy visiting for the food or sights.
ReplyDeleteJust a few years ago, Japan was at the bottom of China tourist arrivals, because of an officially orchestrated wave of anti-Japanese protests.
Many instances where China police stood by when mobs ransacked Japanese business premises.