S Puvaneswary, Kuala Lumpur (2010-02-09)

MALAYSIA is facing a severe shortage of Chinese-speaking guides for the upcoming Chinese New Year holiday period.

The Malaysian Inbound Tourism Association has requested the tourism ministry to issue 230 temporary tourist guide licences from February 13 to 22, said its executive council member (China market), Bernard Low.

According to Low, the shortage of Chinese-speaking guides this year is more pronounced than in previous years as arrivals from Hong Kong, China and Taiwan are booming. Last year, there was no shortage of guides and in 2008, the tourism ministry issued only 100 temporary guide licences. 

A release issued by Tourism Malaysia shows that the country is scheduled to receive 44 charter flights from the North and East Asia region between January 24 and March 1.
The flights are expected to carry about 6,477 holiday-makers from South Korea (360 pax), China (3,590 pax) and Taiwan (2,527 pax) to destinations in Kota Kinabalu, Kuala Lumpur, Kuching, Kuantan, Johor, Penang and Langkawi.