KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 13): The Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) is appealing to the Malaysian Government to waive visa fees for Chinese and Indian tourists, in an attempt to attract more visitor arrivals to boost the Malaysian economy.

"This is necessary in view of Thailand waiving visa-on-arrival (VOA) fees for two months from Dec 1 to Jan 31 for visitors from 21 countries, including China and India, in stimulating its tourism industry following consecutive months of year-on-year decline in Chinese arrivals to Thailand.

"Granting visa fee waiver is common sense to stimulate visitor arrivals and to stay competitive with neighbouring countries. Furthermore, Malaysia and Thailand are inter-connected with tourists from China and India crossing over to Malaysia to extend their holiday," said MATTA president Datuk Tan Kok Liang in a statement today.

The current cost for Chinese nationals to travel to Malaysia includes US$40 for a single-entry e-visa and US$40 for service fee. Tan believed that waiving visa fees for three months from December would help attract more visitors.

He also said the appeal is in light of the rise of the Chinese economy, as Chinese tourists have become "the world's biggest spenders and are known for emptying stores of luxury brands in Europe".