KOTA KINABALU – Preparations for the travel bubble are done but it will now depend on the reopening of the international borders, said Tourism, Arts, and Culture Minister Datuk Nancy Shukri.
She said talks have already been initiated between the ministries led by Wisma Putra over the travel bubble, but the restarting of the tourism will rely on the reopening of the boundaries between nations.
“We already had a few discussions with Wisma Putra, the Home Ministry, and the Health Ministry,” she told reporters today after launching the National Tourism Policy Roadshow here at the Sabah International Convention Centre.
“Actually, we have been identifying a few countries to initiate the travel bubbles and all criteria are in place including the standard operating procedures. But this will not just depend on us opening up our international borders, but also the nations we wish to have a travel bubble with.”
Also present were Deputy Minister Datuk Guandee Kohoi and Sabah Tourism, Culture, and Environment Minister Datuk Jafry Ariffin.
Nancy said Malaysia can initiate travel bubbles with any country but that such matters boil down to health concerns as well as security matters.
She noted her ministry has no responsibility over security matters after acknowledging Sabah’s plan to initiate a travel bubble with Singapore.
The minister also said that she is aware of the travel advisory issued by the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention telling Americans to avoid all travel to Malaysia.
“Even Malaysia has done that, and our borders also remained closed. As such, it is fair for the US to do that,” she said, adding that it was a normal reaction for any country to do so.
Meanwhile, Jafry said the future looks bleak for Sabah’s tourism industry, and that the situation has already hit the red due to the pandemic.
The Malaysian tourism industry incurred an estimated RM100 billion in losses in 2020 and an 83.4% drop in arrivals.
Although there is no latest data for Sabah, the state earned close to RM9 billion and welcomed over four million arrivals before the Covid-19 infections began.
He added that while the promotion of local tourism is allowed, tourists would only be allowed to travel between the six zones established on March 3.
Zone 1 comprises of Kota Kinabalu, Ranau, Tuaran, Penampang, Putatan, and Papar.
Zone 2 covers Beaufort, Kuala Penyu, and Sipitang, while Zone 3 comprises Kudat, Kota Marudu, and Pitas.
Zone 4 includes Sandakan, Beluran, Kinabatangan and Tongod. Zone 5 covers Tawau, Semporna, Lahad Datu, Kunak, and Kalabakan, whereas Zone 6 comprises of Keningau, Tambunan, and Tenom. – The Vibes, April 22, 2021
