GEORGE TOWN – The Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH) has launched a series of deals via online travel portal Roomie Travels to offer discounts of up to 70% for domestic travellers after the National Security Council permitted travel between green zones.
MAH chief executive officer Yap Lip Seng told The Vibes that participating hotels in green-zone destinations will have to enforce health standard operating procedures (SOPs) to safeguard their guests from Covid-19 to the best of their ability.
He said the offers include hotel deals for immediate travel or later in the future.
Those living in green zones should take advantage of the special offers, he said, by patronising hotels to enjoy rest and leisure at bargain prices.
The discounts scheme is part of MAH’s last-minute initiative with Tourism Malaysia to salvage sales this year.
While 2021 had begun with much promise, especially due to the Visit Malaysia Year 2020 (VMY2020) campaign, it all but fizzled out due to the pandemic.
The tourism industry is reported to have lost up to RM45 billion due to the pandemic, which caught about four million travel trade members flat-footed as they had invested millions in the expectation of travellers spurred by VMY2020.
While parts of the country are still under the conditional movement control order (CMCO), the domestic green “travel bubble” initiative comes as a relief to the industry, which has initiated many special deals and promotions targeted at year-end holidaymakers.
Meanwhile, Tourism Langkawi president Ahmad Pishol Isahak is also urging the authorities to make early preparations to revive the industry as other countries have made great strides in promoting their destinations under the new normal.
"We cannot wallow in self pity. We must be resolute in trying to help the industry rebound." – The Vibes, November 25, 2020
