Malaysia tourism hit by MH370 crisis

File photo: Messages of support for those on board Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 at Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Sepang. (AFP/Manan Vatsyayana)

SHANGHAI: Chinese anger over Malaysia's handling of the search for the missing Malaysia Airlines (MAS) flight MH370 has spilled into the tourism sector.

Some Chinese travel agencies have stopped selling MAS flights.

Channel NewsAsia understands from an airline official that MAS is considering suspending the Beijing-Kuala Lumpur route due to lack of passengers.

Festivities planned by the Malaysian Tourism Board have also been overshadowed by the missing jet.

Roadshows to promote travel to Malaysia have been cancelled.

In China, travel agencies said safety concerns have prompted some to cancel or postpone trips to Malaysia via MAS.

Zhou Ying Feng, vice general manager of Shanghai CYTS Tours Corp, said: "The incident with Malaysia Airlines this time is unusual. Overall it's relatively safe. Some customers accept our view.

“Of course, some are unwilling to take Malaysia Airlines and ask for refunds. But they constitute about 2-3 per cent (of customers), so the proportion isn't huge.

“There are many factors in Southeast Asia as well. Malaysia Airlines is one of them. Other unusual factors include political uncertainty. Actually this year, overall, the Southeast Asia route has seen a 10-per cent annual drop (in bookings)."

A handful of Chinese travel agencies have stopped selling flights by Malaysia Airlines until further notice. No reasons were given.

They have also promised refunds to those who want to cancel or change carriers.

Malaysia’s flag carrier has come under strong criticism from Chinese internet users on how it has handled the MH370 crisis.

Coincidentally, 2014 has been designated as Malaysia-China Friendship Year to mark 40 years of diplomatic relations.

Despite strong demands by China's foreign ministry for more information on the plane and strongly-worded criticism against Malaysia on the internet in China, the incident is unlikely to put a dent in bilateral ties.