LANGKAWI – Direct flights should be set up between urban locations and tourism destinations up north, particularly here, to fast-track the rejuvenation of the travel industry.
Malaysian Association of Hotels’ (MAH) Kedah and Perlis chapter secretary, Reginald T. Pereira, said chartered flights are the best option to ensure the standard operating procedures are adhered to.
They also allow passengers’ movements to be monitored, to minimise the risk of Covid-19 outbreaks.
Pereira said airlines should boost efforts to restore connectivity, and most importantly, make fares affordable, given the current economy.
Eventually, passengers will hold digital health certificates that list their vaccination status.
“We need to do something now to revive the ailing industry.
“The flights also mean that we can control the movement of passengers upon arrival, and select the places they can patronise. All under strict SOPs,” said Pereira, who manages Tanjung Rhu Resort, ahead of the MAH chapter’s annual meeting.
Present were MAH chief executive Yap Lip Seng, vice-president Khoo Boo Lim and chapter chairman Eugene Dass, who manages the Star City and Fuller hotel brands in Alor Star.
The chapter issued a statement calling on the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry, with the cooperation of the National Security Council, to establish green-zone travel bubbles.
Based on the current SOPs, a domestic traveller’s journey is screened and tracked through stringent controls set by airport management and airlines.
With a confirmed booking at a licensed hotel, the traveller is subjected to various health and safety rules, including social distancing, imposed by the establishments.
Having studied safe travel flows, MAH is confident that travel bubbles involving flights can be established properly, with accommodation and flight confirmations used as proof of travellers’ health status.
Dass said hoteliers are prepared to enforce additional SOPs so that they can reopen to guests, including those attending meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions.
“We hope the government can consider allowing domestic travel bubbles by flight, possibly with Langkawi as a pilot, while awaiting the full reopening of interstate travel.
“Hotels in Langkawi are ready with their safety and hygiene protocols.”
Such travel arrangements will have a spillover effect, benefiting stakeholders from retailers and restaurants to tour agencies and vehicle rental operators. – The Vibes, March 8, 2021
