VOA Abolishment Will Not Affect Tourism Industry - Ng

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 2 (Bernama) -- The tourism sector will not be affected by the abolishment of visa on arrival (VOA) since the number of people using the facility is small, said Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen. She said only 9,000 of 23.65 million visitors last year applied for VOA. "I do not see a negative impact on the decision but we have an alternative method, that is Visa Facilitation System (VFS)," she told reporters after attending the ministry's monthly assembly here Monday.

The government has decided not to revive the issuance of VOA at the entry points into the country due to abuse of the facility. On VFS, Dr Ng said tour and travel agencies having many branches in selected countries would be chosen to implement the system in efforts to attract more tourists to the country. She said the pilot project would be implemented in India through Kuoni Travel Limited, an international company based in Hong Kong before it would be extended to China by the end of the month.