Malaysian Chinese Tourism Association president Albert Tan Sam Soon said many tourists from China were taking advantage of the long Chinese New Year holiday to come to Malaysia.

The sharp increase in the number of tourists from China has forced several tour agencies to obtain temporary tour guide passes to handle the visitors, he told Bernama.

He said Penang, Malacca, Langkawi, Johor Bahru, Sabah and Sarawak were the main destinations for tourists from China arriving this week.

Tan attributed the sharp increase in arrivals to the introduction of more flight routes between Malaysia and major towns in China.

The implementation of e-visa and electronic travel registration and information (ENTRI) by the government since March last year also helped to attract more tourists from China, he added.

He said efforts by the tourism and culture ministry in promoting the country in China was also a factor.

Tam said the association, with 800 members in Penang, Perak, Johor Bahru and Sabah, was ready to receive the Chinese visitors.

He expected about four million tourists from China to come to Malaysia this year.

Prior to this, a media report stated that 2.2 million Chinese nationals visited Malaysia between March and December last year, from only 1.2 million during the corresponding period in 2015.

In 2015, tourists from China spent about RM5.7 billion, or an average of RM3,500 per person, during their stay in the country.