The visa on arrival (VOA) facility has been implemented at the Miri International Airport and Sungai Tujuh entry points, particularly for Chinese tourists and expatriates in Brunei coming into Malaysia, in an effort to increase the number of tourists for the Visit Malaysia Year 2020.

In a statement today, Malaysia Productivity Corporation (MPC) said it has worked together with the Tourism Productivity Nexus (TPN) to collaborate with the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry in engaging various stakeholders to improve the departure and processing system at the Sarawak and Brunei border for tourists coming from Brunei.

Besides the VOA, several requirements have been relaxed with effect from July 15, including an increase in stay from seven to 15 days; proof of sufficient funds from US$500 in the form of travellers cheques, credit card, debit card or eMoney as accepted by Bank Negara; and a fee reduction to RM200 from RM330.

TPN chairperson Uzaidi Udanis said the VOA facility would boost the arrival of tourists from Brunei, as well as encourage impromptu visits by 40,000 Chinese expatriates currently based in the country.

"We are estimating that Miri could potentially be earning US$4 million (RM16.48 million) annually from these expatriates, with the assumption 10 percent of them visit Miri weekly and spend US$200 (RM824) per visit," he said.

Furthermore, MPC hoped that the initiative would contribute to the government’s Visit Malaysia Year 2020 target of achieving 30 million tourist arrivals and RM30 billion in tourist revenue.

- Bernama