Kuala lumpur: Malaysia welcomes Chinese investment in the local tourism industry and encourages more Chinese operators to participate in tourism development, Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing said.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Tiong emphasized the need for investment and business activities to be conducted through legal and compliant channels. He urged Chinese operators to collaborate with legitimate local partners to build a healthier and more sustainable tourism ecosystem. His remarks were made via a Facebook post following a bilateral meeting with World Tourism Alliance (WTA) Chair Zhang Xu, held on the sidelines of the ASEAN-China Tourism Dialogue and the Malaysia-China Tourism Dialogue in Langkawi.

Tiong clarified that Malaysia's recent efforts to enhance law enforcement in the tourism market were not aimed at any specific country or visitor. Instead, these measures are intended to safeguard the safety and travel experiences of all tourists. Illegal operations, including unapproved tour packages, illegal transportation, and unlicensed tourist facilities, present serious safety risks and disrupt business operations, necessitating tighter enforcement to ensure compliance with safety standards.

During the meeting, the leaders exchanged views on Malaysia-China tourism cooperation, regional tourism development across ASEAN, tourism safety, and industry standards. They pledged to deepen ties to create a safer and more competitive regional tourism environment.