NANNING: Visitors to the 18th China-Asean Expo here were taken on a high-tech “tour” of Malaysia to savour its unique sights, culture and mouth-watering cuisine.

       At the Tourism Malaysia booth, guests got to experience all this through the use of autonomous sensory meridian response (ASMR), a perceptual sensory technology.

       First, they got to “walk around” Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu and Penang to discover the modern architecture, infrastructure and facilities before entering the rainforest to get close to nature and its calming effects.

       Next was a feast for the eyes when an array of Malaysian food was served. Also showcased were activities and festivals celebrated in the country. The journey ended at the beaches and islands of Malaysia.Visitors gave the thumbs up for the special tour, which they said briefly transported them to Malaysia.The booth also caught the attention of the media with dozens of news organisations, including China Central Television, featuring it on their platforms.

       Tourism Malaysia director for southern China region Aaron Gan said tourism, once the third largest revenue earner for the country, was ravaged by the Covid-19 pandemic.

       “There have not been many physical promotions for a long time but branding activities cannot be stopped. We do not want people to forget Malaysia,” he said.

       Gan added that a virtual experience provided a deeper connection to viewers and stayed longer in their memory compared to still pictures and descriptions in brochures.

       “When the borders reopen and people are able to travel overseas, we hope the first country that comes to their mind is Malaysia,” he added.So far, some 1,500 people have experienced the virtual tour since the expo began on Sept 10. It ends today.