KUALA LUMPUR – Langkawi, the site of the country's pilot travel bubble project, is on a trajectory for a success since it was reopened last Thursday with 9,500 tourist arrivals, said Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri.
She said that, so far, there have been no Covid-19 cases recorded among tourists there, as stated by Kedah Health Director Dr Othman Warijo.
“We can see the potential of Langkawi, which is the (pioneer) model, that has been a success.
“Generally, other tourism destinations, especially in areas like Genting Highlands and Fraser Hills, have achieved a 100% rate for full vaccination and are ready to reopen… Tomorrow, InsyaAllah, there will be a meeting to discuss the opening of interstate tourism,” she said.
She said this on Bernama TV’s Malaysia Petang Ini programme titled Pelancongan Kebangkitan Industri today.
The Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry (Motac) had previously targeted about 200,000 domestic tourists to visit Langkawi from September 16 until December.
It also targeted about 30,000 travellers to visit the island this month.
Nancy said that her ministry has also tabled proposals from tourism industry players to the Finance Ministry, which will hopefully be used as a guide in the tabling of the coming Budget 2022.
“Last Friday, Motac, together with tourism industry agencies and players had a focus group meeting with the Finance Ministry, and we submitted what was proposed by them and it looks positive.
“Our aim this time is to help the people. InsyaAllah, what we have tabled to the Finance Ministry will be heard, especially, for the sake of the small and medium industries, as they have been the most affected,” she said. – Bernama, September 20, 2021
