KUALA LUMPUR, 7 June 2024* – Trip.com Group, a leading global travel service provider, has signed a Memorandum of Collaboration with Tourism Malaysia, also known as the Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board. The signing took place on 29 May 2024 during the ITB China trade show. This collaboration aims to enhance tourism between Malaysia and the broader Asia Pacific region.
The memorandum was signed by Mr. Edison Chen, Vice President of Destination Marketing & Strategic Alliances at Trip.com Group, and Mr. Eric Choy, CEO of Harley Travel Sdn Bhd, representing Tourism Malaysia. The signing was witnessed by Mr. Manoharan Periasamy, Director General of Tourism Malaysia, and Ms. Stephane Thong, General Manager of Trip.com Malaysia.
This three-year partnership seeks to expand existing collaboration beyond China and attract more international visitors to Malaysia. It focuses on joint marketing efforts, especially promoting key tourist attractions and accommodations throughout Malaysia, including Johor and Sarawak.
In line with the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Malaysia, the partnership will leverage the recent visa-free travel arrangement between the two countries to boost tourism. Harley Travel will work closely with Trip.com and the Ministry of Tourism to further promote tourism exchanges.
Mr Edison Chen highlighted the growth potential: “Kota Kinabalu, Penang, Langkawi, and Semporna are globally popular among travellers, showcasing Malaysia’s diverse tourism appeal. With the visa-free arrangement, we aim to elevate Malaysia’s profile as a premier tourist destination, attracting more visitors and quality tourists.”
Mr Manoharan Periasamy added: “This partnership marks a significant milestone in our ongoing relationship with Trip.com Group. Expanding our collaboration to the Asia Pacific region reflects our shared success and commitment to promoting Malaysia’s unique tourism offerings.”
This collaboration aligns with Tourism Malaysia’s “Visit Malaysia 2026” strategic roadmap, which targets 35.6 million international tourist arrivals and MYR147.1 billion in tourist expenditure. Key initiatives include enhanced branding, joint promotions, and market segmentation.
Trip.com Group’s data underscores Malaysia’s popularity among Chinese tourists, with Tawau emerging as a top destination during the recent Labour Day holiday.
