From 14-16 July 2023, Malaysia made its debut at the Diving and Resort Travel Expo Shanghai (DRT). The event provided an opportunity for Tourism Malaysia to promote its many underwater wonders and tourism highlights directly to the Chinese market.
Malaysia’s offerings at the event were indicative of the country’s commitment to sustainable tourism practices, with an emphasis on responsible diving and marine conservation. According to Tourism Malaysia, dive operators in Malaysia aim to preserve the country’s stunning underwater ecosystems for future generations of Chinese and global travellers to enjoy.
“We are excited to present Malaysia’s scuba diving industry at the Diving and Resort Travel Expo Shanghai 2023,” said Dato’ Dr Ammar Abd. Ghapar, Director-General of Tourism Malaysia, during the show. “With a strategic location, pristine dive sites, and strong cultural connections, Malaysia offers a captivating blend of adventure, natural beauty and cultural experiences.”
“We recognise the growing interest of Chinese travellers in scuba diving, and Malaysia is the perfect destination to fulfil their desires for adventures, natural beauty and cultural immersion. Thus, we aim to provide an incredible experience showcasing Malaysia’s best scuba diving industry while fostering sustainable practices.”
During DRT 2023, the Malaysian delegation was headed by Mr Sulaiman Suip, who is the Senior Deputy Director of the Package Development Division, Tourism Malaysia. He was accompanied by various travel agents, personnel from the Sabah Tourism Board, and Mr Wizani Rosmin, Director of the Tourism Malaysia Shanghai office.
Malaysia is a location that’s growing in popularity with divers around the world, and particularly those based in China. Some of the most popular dive sites on offer include the islands of Sipadan, Redang and Tioman. Combined with Malaysia’s unique cuisine, fascinating culture and warm hospitality, this makes the country an attractive proposition for international dive travellers.
In recent months, more flight options have opened up for Chinese travellers, making travel to Malaysia more convenient than ever before. There are currently 175 weekly flights from China to Malaysia. According to Tourism Malaysia, “the extensive network of international flights connecting major Chinese cities to Malaysia offers convenience and contributes to achieving Malaysia’s target of welcoming 5 million Chinese tourist arrivals this year.”
Tourism Malaysia’s debut at DRT 2023 demonstrates their commitment to promoting dive tourism in the months ahead. It also provided an insight into the rich potential of this segment, with its wide array of premier attractions. As Tourism Malaysia stated recently on their website, “Malaysia’s scuba diving industry promises to create lifelong memories and forge strong connections between Chinese visitors and the country’s vibrant marine ecosystems.”
