KUALA LUMPUR – Although Pulau Tioman’s reopening has been pushed to mid-October, the standard operating procedures for a travel bubble will take effect next Tuesday.
Tourism Pahang general manager Kamaruddin Ibrahim told Astro Awani that the SOPs will be implemented at the Teluk Gading jetty in Rompin.
He said the implementation is to help stakeholders “try out” the rules ahead of the reopening.
According to the SOPs, each ferry passenger has to furnish proof that they are fully vaccinated against Covid-19 and provide a negative swab test result before boarding.
Kamaruddin was quoted as saying similar sets of SOPs will be applied to Pahang’s other tourism spots, such as Cameron Highlands, Bukit Fraser, Kuala Gandah, state parks and Taman Negara.
“If we prepare in advance, there may be certain SOPs that need a different approach or an adjustment. So, we consider September 28 to be appropriate, giving us two to three weeks before the travel bubble starts.”
There are about 100 hotels and 30 scuba diving centres in Tioman.
According to Covid-19 vaccination records, the island has achieved a 100% jab rate.
Earlier, tourism operators in Tioman said they are ready to comply with the SOPs set by the government and National Security Council to enable them to receive visitors again.
They also expressed hope that there will be “no last-minute cancellation surprises” as tour operators have only about two more months to do business this year before the arrival of the monsoon season in December, during which ferry operations are not allowed.
On Tuesday, Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri announced that Tioman is among the three new destinations given the nod to reopen under the tourism bubble programme.
The other two locations are Genting Highlands and Melaka.
On Monday, Pahang Tourism, Culture, Environment, Plantation and Commodity Committee chairman Datuk Seri Mohd Sharkar Shamsudin also confirmed that Tioman is ready to welcome visitors after achieving herd immunity in July, and a task force has been created in preparation for tourists’ return. – The Vibes, September 25, 2021
