Travel agencies should not only promote the Petronas Twin Towers and Genting Highlands, which houses the country's sole casino, to woo tourists from China.

Speaking to malaysiakini , the counselor of the Chinese embassy in Kuala Lumpur Shen Yong Xian attributed the drop in tourist arrivals from China to the lack of promotions.

Official statistics revealed that the country only recorded the arrival of 16,000 Chinese tourists in June compared to 48,000 for the same month last year. This was a 67 percent drop.

According to him, a tourism campaign can be deemed successful if tourists can be attracted for a second visit.

"It is considered successful only if Malaysia can attract them to visit repeatedly. Malaysia should provide more publicity and promotions on local attractions," he said.

He said some China tourists are not clear about the tourist spots here even after visiting the country.

"Some of the important tourist attractions are not introduced to them and this gives a bad impression about Malaysia," he added.

Apart from the twin towers and Genting, Shen said the country has many other attractive elements that should be promoted.

Vice activities

Meanwhile, Malaysia-China Friendship Association secretary Tan Kai Hee said the immigration department should not have a negative perception towards all Chinese women.

He said the strict and unfriendly attitude are spurning these women from visiting Malaysia again.

Asked if this is due to the involvement of Chinese women in vice activities, Tan said every country has the problem of foreigners being involved in such activities.

"The immigration officers should not ban 99 percent just because the problem is caused by one percent," he added.

Commenting on the same issue, the Malaysian Chinese Tourism Association president Chay Ng said the drop of Chinese tourists was related to visa problems.

While other countries make the process simple, he said it was tedious in Malaysia.

He said the tsunami tragedy and the severe haze have also contributed to the decline in tourist arrivals.