An armed pro-Russian separatist stands guard as monitors from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe and members of a Malaysian air crash investigation team inspect the crash site, Donetsk region July 22, 2014. — Reuters pic

KUALA LUMPUR, July 23 — An unprecedented second major aviation disaster in four months could further associate Malaysia with calamity in the eyes of travellers, observers warn, putting the tropical destination’s vital tourism sector at risk.



Even before Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 was shot down on Thursday over rebel-held eastern Ukraine in an apparent missile strike, killing all 298 people on board, Malaysian tourism was under a cloud following the MH370 debacle.



Malaysia’s March 8 loss of a jumbo jet with 239 people aboard and its widely mocked response hurt the country’s image worldwide.



With most of the passengers on MH370 Chinese, tourist arrivals from China—a key source of visitors on which Malaysia has pinned much of its hopes for further development of the sector—dropped in the aftermath.



While the circumstances of the two disasters are markedly distinct, perception is key in branding, and the latest tragedy is expected to complicate efforts to repair Brand Malaysia’s image.



”Malaysia’s competency and governance are not under the spotlight to the same degree as in MH370,” Bridget Welsh, a Malaysia researcher at National Taiwan University, told AFP.



”This said, Malaysia Airlines and travel to Malaysia will be affected outside of Malaysia.

“The effects will not be as serious as MH370, but overall negative.”



Some in the tourism sector, however, say any impact may be short-lived as discerning travellers will continue to be drawn by Malaysia’s pristine rainforests and beaches, vibrant multi-culturalism and food scene and an overall safe and friendly environment.



Malaysia drew 25 million visitors in 2013 and RM65 billion in tourism receipts, according to official data.



Hopes were high for 2014, which the government declared “Visit Malaysia Year” with plans to ramp up international promotional efforts centring on its years-long “Malaysia: Truly Asia” campaign familiar to many in the region.



Goals of 28 million visitors and RM76 billion in receipts were set.



Most visitors are day-trippers from neighbouring Singapore but Malaysia is targeting bigger-spending arrivals from the Middle East, Europe and particularly China.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak (right) and DPM Muhyiddin Yassin observe a moment of silence in remembrance of the victims before the start of a special session convened to discuss the MH17 tragedy in Parliament, Kuala Lumpur July 23, 2014. — Reuters pic A guard rides on a train carrying the remains of victims of Malaysia Airlines MH17 downed over rebel-held territory in eastern Ukraine as it arrives in the city of Kharkiv, eastern Ukraine July 22, 2014. — Reuters pic Lyudmila Vorobyeva, Russian ambassador to Malaysia, speaks to journalists during a news conference at the Russian embassy in Kuala Lumpur July 22, 2014. — Reuters pic Journalists work after a train carrying the remains of victims of Malaysia Airlines MH17 downed over rebel-held territory in eastern Ukraine arrived in the city of Kharkiv, eastern Ukraine July 22, 2014. — Reuters pic A Ukrainian policeman watches as a train carrying the remains of the victims of Malaysia Airlines MH17 downed over rebel-held territory in eastern Ukraine arrives in the city of Kharkiv in eastern Ukraine July 22, 2014. — Reuters pic A monk stands between protesters during demonstrations demanding justice for the victims of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 at a rally held by UMNO's youth wing outside the Ukrainian embassy in Kuala Lumpur July 22, 2014. — Reuters pic People look at a sea of flowers outside Schiphol Airport in memory of the victims of Flight MH17 July 21, 2014. — Reuters pic A man photographs tributes outside Newcastle United’s St James’ stadium in Newcastle, northern England July 21, 2014. — Reuters pic A board, with a message referencing Ukraine President Petro Poroshenko, is seen outside the village of Hrabove (Grabovo) near the crash site of Flight MH17 in Donetsk region July 21, 2014. — Reuters pic A member of the Ukrainian Emergencies Ministry walks near parts of the wreckage at a crash site of Flight MH17 near the village of Hrabove (Grabovo), Donetsk region July 21, 2014. — Reuters pic Friends and relatives of Jenny Loh and Popo Fan, owners of a popular restaurant Asian Glories, participate in a silent march to pay their respects in Rotterdam July 21, 2014. — Reuters pic A message for families and victims of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 is seen at the Umno headquarters in Kuala Lumpur July 22, 2014. — Reuters pic A satellite image shows the crash site of Flight MH17 in Ukraine, in this July 20, 2014 DigitalGlobe handout photo. — Reuters pic The train transporting the remains of victims from Flight MH17 departs from the railway station in Torez, Donetsk region July 21, 2014. — Reuters pic An armed pro-Russian separatist stands guard near the train transporting the remains of victims from Flight MH17 before its departure in Torez, Donetsk region July 21, 2014. — Reuters pic Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak leaves a news conference, after announcing that two black boxes from Flight MH17 will be handed over to Malaysia by Ukrainian rebels, in Kuala Lumpur July 22, 2014. — Reuters pic A Malaysian expert examines a black box belonging to Flight MH17 during its handover from pro-Russian separatists, in Donetsk July 22, 2014. — Reuters pic Members of the media take pictures as a pro-Russian separatist places black boxes belonging to Flight MH17 on a desk, before their handover to Malaysian representatives, in Donetsk July 22, 2014. — Reuters pic A representative from pro-Russian separatists shakes hands with Colonel Mohamed Sakri of the Malaysian National Security Council after signing documents on the handing over of Flight MH17’s black boxes, in Donetsk July 22, 2014. — Reuters pic A pro-Russian separatist shows members of the media a black box belonging to Flight MH17, before its handover to Malaysian representatives, in Donetsk July 22, 2014. — Reuters pic Previous Next

MH370 anger hits China arrivals

Chinese arrivals have soared, hitting nearly 2 million last year—seven per cent of the total.



But Chinese anger over MH370 caused arrivals from the country to drop 20 per cent in April, according to the latest Malaysian figures.



The China Business News reported Monday that concern over travelling on Malaysia Airlines, a major feeder of visitors to the country, has crimped arrivals by more than 40 per cent since MH370, citing figures collected from Chinese travel agencies.



”The crash of the Malaysia Airlines flight (MH17)... has deepened consumers’ concerns over the carrier,” the report cited an official with China Environment International Travel Service as saying.



The official added that MH17 had led to a “large number” of new Malaysia travel cancellations “because a lot of tourists no longer trust Malaysia Airlines’ safety”.



Malaysia’s tourism ministry said in a statement it is “monitoring the market situation closely”.



”International tourists are definitely going to be thinking twice, thrice about flying on Malaysia Airlines,” said Jonathan Galaviz, a partner with the US-based travel and tourism consultancy Global Market Advisors.



Malaysia’s image has not been helped by a wave of kidnappings and other deadly violence on the coast of Malaysian Borneo, normally popular for scuba-diving and nature enthusiasts. Bandits from the nearby Philippines are blamed.



While the country’s flag carrier has taken a beating Tan Kok Liang, the vice-president of the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents, said agencies are hoping tourists will continue to visit the country on different airlines.



”Our outlook is that the average tourist will still want to come to Malaysia. The latest incident has got nothing to do with the safety of Malaysia and there is no reason why people will stay away,” he said.



That seems to bear out with foreign travellers arriving at Kuala Lumpur International Airport after the latest incident, with most saying they were mostly unperturbed.



“Sadly there is a lot of scepticism about coming to Malaysia ... This is my first time. I came because I am attracted to its multi-cultural society,” said Alfred McDonnell, a 60-year-old American teacher. — AFP