The Malaysian Insight

HOTELS on the resort island of Langkawi are seeing a flurry of cancellations amid a Covid-19 outbreak in Kedah, said Langkawi Tourism Association president Phisol Ishak.

“We first felt the impact when Putrajaya imposed a targeted enhanced movement-control order (Temco) for two weeks on three areas of the state last month. The Kuala Kedah Jetty, a gateway to the island. was also shut following the order,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

He said this has affected tourists arrivals even though the Kuala Perlis jetty and the Langkawi airport remain open.

The Temco for Kenanga, Mawar and Aman Jaya ended on September 25.

However, a lockdown order comes into effect today for two weeks in the Alor Star prison, home to the Tembok cluster.

Phisol said these developments have taken a toll on Langkawi’s tourist inflow.

Rumours that the government is mulling another nationwide lockdown have also spooked visitors, he said.

“People don’t want to come now. They are afraid of a lockdown. They also fear getting infected as cases have spiked,” he said.

He noted the cases were quickly contained and confined to small areas but it had affected the confidence level of tourists.

He said prior to the new outbreak, Langkawi was among the local holiday destinations to rebound most quickly from the coronavirus lockdown.

Yesterday, the Health Ministry reported infections were on the rise with Sabah and Kedah accounting for most of them.

Sabah logged 126 new cases while Kedah reported 113. 

Malaysian Association of Hotel Kedah-Perlis chapter chairman Eugene Dass said members had reported booking cancellations.

He said a series of Temco in Kedah last month had cost the state’s hoteliers RM5 million.

“There is a misunderstanding about the outbreak. The Tembok cluster involves the prison in Alor Setar and does not affect the community. The perception is that the larger community has been infected,” he said.

Dass said an outbreak in jail should not have affected tourism.

He said the hospitality sector is worried about the rising virus cases.

“We have invested thousands in the standard operating procedures and offered discounts on rooms for tourists but the negligence of a section of the community has created fears of a third wave of the virus,” he said

He said Malaysians have generally been supportive of domestic tourism when interstate travel is allowed but another epidemic would have a devastating impact on the hotel industry.

Dass said the hoteliers are going ahead with promotions to lure tourists, starting with a roadshow in Johor and Penang. – October 5, 2020.