Malaysia received 10.1 million foreign arrivals in the first quarter of this year, making it the most visited country in Southeast Asia, thanks to its visa relaxation policies.
Thailand, which held the champion title for years, was second with 9.55 million, followed by Vietnam (six million) and Singapore (4.31 million), according to official data.
Malaysia recently
announced the extension of visa exemption for Chinese travelers
for another five years, with an option to extend it for an additional five years until 2036, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said.
It has also extended its visa-free entry for Indian tourists until 2026.
Meanwhile, Thailand has been hit by a tourism crisis due to safety concerns, especially after the kidnapping of
Chinese actor Xing Xing
in January, and foreign arrival numbers have been plummeting.
