GEORGE TOWN – Langkawi’s performance as the country’s pilot travel bubble programme is being closely watched by neighbouring Penang and the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry.
Penang tourism players are taking notes on how Langkawi is managing its travel bubble, with hopes to apply best practices when the state is allowed to have a travel bubble as well.
Malaysia Association of Hotels (MAH) Penang chapter chairman Raj Kumar told The Vibes that it is watching Langkawi to learn and improve on standard operating procedures should Penang be allowed to receive tourists.
“We will follow whatever Langkawi is doing that is right for us. Most of the hotels now are very cautious and waiting for their staff to complete their vaccinations before reopening, which is expected to be in mid-October.”
Raj said the hotels have developed a system where only half of total rooms will be open to guests each day.
“The rest of the rooms will be left vacant and used only the following day. Used rooms will be cleaned thoroughly before they can be occupied the following day.
“The hotel cleaners need time to sanitise and allow for ventilation before the room is ready for the next guest.
“Of course, we hope daily Covid-19 cases here will go down to double digits before the tourism industry here reopens. But we are optimistic because Penang’s vaccination rate for the first dose is at almost 80%,” he said.
Association of Tourism Attractions Penang (Atap) chairman Gino Ooi told The Vibes that even though Langkawi opened its borders to domestic tourists first, the outcome, whether it is successful, should not be applied to Penang.
“In the case of Langkawi, it is too massive an opening. It is almost impossible to control. That is why we are requesting for a test run where our open air parks are open only three days a week with 30 visitors per entry at any time.
“We are applying ‘gated tourism’ so we can restrict the number of visitors, along with strict SOPs.”
Last week, Penang Tourism and Creative Economy committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin proposed the federal government allow a test run on the reopening of outdoor tourist attractions before embracing the full resumption of travel activities.
The four outdoor attractions to be involved are The Habitat, Tropical Spice Garden, Penang Tropical Fruit Farm and Penang Bird Park.
“It is ideal if those who visit have already tested themselves using the Covid-19 self-test kit, but I don’t think it is fair to force everyone to do it. We will have to check their symptoms before they enter.”
The proposal is pending approval from the federal government, said Ooi, who is also Penang Bird Park director.
Meanwhile, Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri was quoted as saying by the New Straits Times that the government will soon decide on having travel bubbles for other islands and easing restrictions for non-island destinations.
She said a report on Langkawi’s reopening will be submitted to the government for the National Security Council (NSC) to make future decisions.
“Like for Langkawi previously, we would recommend that those planning to travel take a swab test a few hours before their trip.”
A total of 2,546 people were screened at air and sea entry points into Langkawi, of which five were found positive on the first day of the reopening on Thursday. – The Vibes, September 19, 2021
