Record Number Of M'sian Tourists To Visit Japan This Year, Says JNTO

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 21 (Bernama) -- Malaysian tourists to Japan this year is likely to hit another record high, thanks to the visa waiver programme introduced in 2013 and Japan catering to more Muslim tourists, says Japan National Tourism Organisation (JNTO). For the first seven months of the year, Japan welcomed 132,400 Malaysian tourists, a year-on-year, growth of 63 per cent. "If the growth momentum continues into the second half, traditionally a peak traveling season, Malaysian arrivals in Japan will achieve another record high," said JNTO Singapore Office Deputy Director Susan Maria Ong at a press conference here Thursday. After Japan introduced visa exemption for Malaysians holding biometric passports in July last year, local tourists to Japan hit a record 176,713 in 2013, up 35.7 per cent, from the previous year. Japan is also warming up to the idea of serving the vast Muslim tourist population. "Muslim-friendly services such as prayer facilities are now available in major airports and shopping malls, and more hotels and resorts have started to serve halal menus," Ong said. -- BERNAMA