KUALA LUMPUR – The National Tourism Policy 2020-2030 launched today aims to ensure the continuity of the country’s tourism industry, as well as bring Malaysia back as a preferred international tourism destination.
Launching the policy online, Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said this would be achieved by strengthening competitiveness, encouraging sustainable and inclusive tourism sector development, and planning for future disasters.
He said the policy would be implemented through six main strategic thrusts, namely transformation of governance; creating an inclusive tourism investment zone; intensifying digitisation in the tourism sector; enriching tourists experience and satisfaction; strengthening commitment to sustainable tourism; and increasing human capital capacity in all tourism sub-sectors.
Muhyiddin said the government is aware that the country needs a dynamic and strategic direction to revive the tourism industry.
“As such, digital technology-based tourism industry development is vital in ensuring the achievement of the policy’s objective.
“Technology advancements can also strengthen the network between industries and pave the way for new innovative sub-sectors in the tourism industry that will create business and employment opportunities. Technology-based tourism investments are very much encouraged,” he said.
The prime minister said that Malaysia will create special tourism investment zones through the policy for tourism projects to boost public-private cooperation and to lure more local and international investors.
He stressed that the Perikatan Nasional government is also committed to balancing the development and preservation and conservation of national treasures, including the environment, culture, and heritage.
“Our goal is to brand Malaysia as Top of Mind Ecotourism Destination of the World. I also believe that resource sustainability can drive new economic growth and create employment opportunities,” he said.
Muhyiddin said the effort is in line with Malaysia’s commitment to Agenda 2030 and the 17 sustainable development goals adopted by the United Nations member states.
He said the strategies in the policy will receive full support and cooperation from all quarters, especially industry players, non-governmental organisations, private sectors, and related stakeholders.
According to him, the country’s tourism industry contributed RM240.2 billion or 15.9% to gross domestic product, involving 3.6 million workers in 2019.
However, the Covid-19 pandemic had affected economic activities related to the tourism industry this year with an estimated total loss exceeding RM100 billion.
He said the government is aware that the implementation of several levels of the movement control order to curb Covid-19 had significant impact on the country's tourism industry, but according to the National Economic Action Plan, Malaysia would need at least four years to revive the tourism industry, a relatively long period that presents great challenges to all quarters involved.
“Nevertheless, I believe at this stage that we can revive our tourism industry by boosting domestic tourism activities and enhancing the people's confidence in travelling domestically while borders are still closed,” he added. – Bernama, December 23, 2020
