KUALA LUMPUR – The Tourism, Arts, and Culture Ministry is targeting to make Langkawi the first tourist destination to be reopened, in a bid to help improve the socio-economy of the people affected by Covid-19.
Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said the resort island was the first choice for the tourism sector because its location was concentrated and closed off, making it easy to control.
She noted Langkawi has a population of 119,000 and is targeted to achieve herd immunity by tomorrow.
“International airlines also fly to Langkawi, so it is a focused and concentrated area for the tourism sector for those who have been fully vaccinated,” she said.
She said this after the swearing-in ceremony at Istana Negara today.
Nancy, who is also the Batang Sadong MP, said the ministry had initially targeted September 1 to reopen the tourism sector in Langkawi to the public, but postponed it due to the increasing number of Covid-19 cases.
“Langkawi residents have achieved herd immunity, so they are ready, but they are now asking for a postponement because Covid-19 cases have risen sharply,” she said.
She added that tourism issues needed to be addressed urgently and there was a need for new strategies in line with current challenges.
“We will set vaccination as the main criterion for travellers.
“God willing, tourists will comply with the new standard operating procedures for tourism. Let’s see how the arts and culture tourism sector can help raise the socio-economy of the people,” she said. – Bernama, August 30, 2021
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