GEORGE TOWN – The easing of travel restrictions in Malaysia is not enough for tourism stakeholders to stage a meaningful rebound, said the Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH).
Instead, MAH and travel trade members are calling for the fast-tracking of measures to rejuvenate the tourism industry, which used to be a major employer in the country before the Covid-19 pandemic.
MAH chief executive officer Yap Lip Seng told The Vibes that the easing of inter-district travel in most states has helped raise hotel occupancy rates slightly due to pent-up demand for domestic staycations as well as meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibition (MICE) activities.
“The (national) occupancy (rate) in January was about 20% while in February, it was only 18%. After inter-district travel was allowed on March 5 onwards, occupancy rates inched up to about 24% and to 33% during the school holidays last week.
“This is insufficient. We are hoping for the government to allow interstate travel, or at least with more flexibility for travel by flight and private vehicles. Hotels can play their role in movement tracking and aligning check-in times with MySejahtera check-ins.”
Yap also supported a suggestion by Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) to vaccinate the majority of residents living near tourist destinations to create herd immunity while restoring confidence among inbound travellers.
“Vaccination of tourism workers is much needed and should be prioritised after health frontliners as the industry forms a critical economic pillar in Malaysia and will be an important factor in rebuilding travel confidence.”
While there have been many measures to revive tourism through digitalisation efforts, it remains an industry that depends heavily on human interaction, he added.
Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri had previously said that the tourism industry is recovering, citing the fact that many island resorts are experiencing an uptick in tourists after the easing of the MCO.
To date, eight states – Perlis, Kedah, Perak, Pahang, Melaka, Negri Sembilan, Terengganu and Sabah as well as Putrajaya and Labuan – remain under the recovery MCO until April 14. – The Vibes, April 9, 2021
