Qingdao Daily Press Group / Guanhai News — June 14
A delegation of 26 representatives from 20 Malaysian travel agencies visited China from June 9 to 14 on a familiarization tour covering four cities in Shandong Province, including Qingdao.
The visit, supported by China’s visa-free policies and expanding direct flight connections, aims to strengthen tourism links between Malaysia and Qingdao and encourage greater two-way visitor flows.
Malaysia remains one of Qingdao’s key overseas source markets, with visitor numbers continuing to rise in recent years. Delegation members include senior figures in Malaysia’s travel industry with extensive experience in itinerary planning and tourism operations. During the trip, they conducted on-site visits to cultural, historical, and natural attractions across Shandong to explore potential for customized travel products targeting inbound tourists.
In Qingdao, the group visited several well-known sites, including the Badaguan scenic area, Qinyu Road, and a comic-themed street locally known as “Manga Street.” The delegates experienced the city’s coastal landscape, historic architecture, and everyday urban life, gaining a closer look at its tourism offerings.
A meeting was later held between the delegation and the Qingdao Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism. Both sides discussed product development, distribution cooperation, and strategies to attract more international visitors.
Malaysian travel operators said Qingdao offers diverse tourism resources and strong appeal, further supported by direct air connections. They expressed interest in developing tailored tour products and organizing group tours to the city.
The Qingdao tourism authority said it will continue working with Malaysian travel agencies and industry groups to improve communication and enhance inbound tourism services. It also pledged to refine travel routes and strengthen its service system for international visitors.
By leveraging direct flight links, both sides aim to deepen tourism cooperation and expand two-way travel flows between Malaysia and Qingdao.
(Reporting by Ma Xiaoting — Qingdao Daily Press Group / Guanhai News)
Editor: Yuan Ruichen
