What drove the increase to 34.5 million travellers this year?

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The increase to 34.5 million travellers this year is attributed to a notable post-Covid-19 surge in cross-border movement.

The Immigration Department has recorded 34.5 million travellers entering and exiting the country in the current year, a figure that includes 12.4 million foreigners. This significant volume is described as a notable increase in people traversing the nation's borders following the global Covid-19 pandemic. To manage this enhanced flow, the department is actively procuring 40 additional autogates for installation at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) terminals and other major entry points, with a target for their deployment next month.
Post-Pandemic Travel Resumption

The primary driver behind the substantial increase in traveller numbers is the general resumption of international travel after the Covid-19 pandemic subsided. As global travel restrictions eased, there has been a marked increase in individuals entering and exiting the country. This general uplift in movement has directly contributed to the overall traveller count reaching 34.5 million for the year.
Expansion of Autogate Usage for Foreigners

A contributing factor to managing the increased traveller volume and preventing congestion at immigration checkpoints has been the expansion of autogate accessibility. Initially exclusive to Malaysians, the autogates were extended to foreigners from 10 countries in February of the previous year. This policy was further broadened to include travellers from 53 countries starting from June 1 of the current year, facilitating quicker processing for a larger segment of international arrivals and departures.
Efficiency of Autogate Technology

The efficiency of the autogate system plays a crucial role in accommodating the higher number of travellers. These automated gates can reduce the passport control process to approximately 15 seconds per individual. This speed is vital for processing the increased volume, with evidence from Terminal 1 showing that nearly nine in ten arrivals clear passport control in under 25 minutes, and most within 20 minutes, due to the wider use of these gates.

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What drove the increase to 34.5 million travellers this year?

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