The Malaysia Budget and Business Hotel Association (MyBHA) has endorsed the tourism minister's request for all travelers to be granted visas upon arrival, asserting that this will be essential for luring European tourists.

According to MyBHA president Sri Ganesh Michiel, if Malaysia's "tight" visa requirements weren't in place, more European tourists would come to this country.

He told FMT that the expense and hassle of obtaining visas was a barrier that prevented these visitors from wishing to travel to the nation.

"Europeans frequently visit Thailand and may wish to visit nearby Malaysia, but our visa regulation restricts them from doing so.

The topic of visas-on-application has previously been brought up by the tourism ministry, but he claimed that this does not appear to be the case with the other ministries.

The Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (Matta), which supports the ministry of tourism, cautioned the government that a restricted visa policy would limit chances for economic growth and employment creation.

Travelers are discouraged from applying for visas because of the lengthy wait times and high prices involved, according to Faeez Fadhlillah, the honorary secretary-general of the Matta.

The government must move quickly to prevent Malaysia from falling behind its neighbors as the world economy enters a recession.

The primary barrier to visiting any particular nation, he claimed, is still the expense and hassle of obtaining a visa.

Travelers from China and India, as well as those coming into Malaysia from Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, or Brunei, are currently eligible for visas-on-arrival.

To be competitive in the international tourism market, Malaysia should consider granting visas upon arrival to visitors from all nations, according to tourism minister Tiong King Sing on Wednesday.

Tiong stated that security should not be used as an excuse to delay tourist arrivals, and he expressed confidence in the ability of the authorities to manage passenger surges and uphold order at entrance points across the nation.