An undated photo shows Petronas Towers at sunset in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. /CFP

An undated photo shows Petronas Towers at sunset in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. /CFP

An undated photo of Sipadan Island, Malaysia. /CFP

An undated photo of Sipadan Island, Malaysia. /CFP

An aerial view of Semporna, Malaysia, January 15, 2020. /CFP

An aerial view of Semporna, Malaysia, January 15, 2020. /CFP

An undated photo of a resort in Semporna, Malaysia. /CFP

An undated photo of a resort in Semporna, Malaysia. /CFP

An undated photo shows an aerial view of a resort in Semporna, Malaysia. /CFP

An undated photo shows an aerial view of a resort in Semporna, Malaysia. /CFP

Malaysia has seen a significant increase in Chinese tourist arrivals since the introduction of visa-free entry for Chinese travelers commenced on December 1, 2023.

According to Lee Thai Hung, deputy director general of Tourism Malaysia, from January to August 2024, the country welcomed over 2 million Chinese tourists, marking a substantial 160 percent growth compared to the same period in the previous year. 

A Malaysian research institute predicts that Chinese visitor arrivals will surge to 5 million, with tourism expenditure expected to exceed 30 billion ringgit ($6.97 billion) in the coming year.