The Malaysian Insight

TOUR and travel operators in Terengganu’s world famous islands will only resume operations next month although they have the go-ahead to so now that the state has progressed to phase 2 of the national recovery programme. 

They told The Malaysian Insight they are waiting until September when they and the workers are fully vaccinated.

They also downplayed the impact of the monsoon season which starts next month on their reopening.

Under the phase 2, economic sectors, including tourism, and some social activities are allowed for fully vaccinated people.

Sany Ismail, the owner of Alunan Resort in Pulau Perhentian, said he has decided to delay reopening as domestic tourism alone does not contribute to his business.

He said tourism on the island – a popular holiday destination – is dependent on out-of-state travellers.

“In Perhentian, only 10% of tourists are domestic and they don’t stay the night at the resorts or hotels here. Which is why we have made the decision to wait until the end of the month, until we are fully vaccinated as we don’t think there will be any tourists coming to Perhentian as it will require crossing state lines.”

Sany said the industry players are hopeful the government will allow interstate travel in September to revive the sector which has been crippled by successive movement control orders.

Starting on August 10, domestic tourism in phase 2 states is allowed for fully vaccinated people.

Two-dose recipients are considered fully inoculated 14 days after the second dose while one-and-done recipients will achieve the status after 28 days of the jab.

Despite the on and off lockdowns, Sany said the industry is resilient and will recover.

“Even though the effects of the pandemic have been severe, the tourism sector will eventually bounce back as it is resilient,” he said.

The problem for tourism operators in Perhentian now is electricity supply.

“Perhentian is recognised as one of the most beautiful islands in the world but we have a big problem with power supply.

“It is burdensome to operate as we rely on diesel to generate electricity which is expensive.”

Perhentian Island Resort and Tourism Operators Association chairman Abdul Aziz Che Abdullah said the members have been fighting to have a steady supply of electricity on the island for 25 years.

“Not having electricity for 24 hours is an obstacle for the island. The monsoon is not an issue for us.

“The industry players have agreed to operate during the monsoon as the breakwater at Sungai Besut will shield us.

“The challenge now is to have electricity supply around the clock. We have brought up this issue multiple times with the state and federal governments.

“There is no problem on the state government’s side but we don’t know why the federal government can’t supply us with electricity,” he said.

For now, full electricity supply is only available to 2,000 villagers on Perhentian Kecil.

On the resumption of tourism, Aziz said the consensus among operators was to only start after they have completed both doses of the vaccine.

There are around 70 resorts, chalets and homesteads on Perhentian.

Redang Island Resort Association secretary Lim You Jing said its members have also agreed to reopen in September to minimise the risk of infection.

“We don’t want anything untoward to happen if we rush to reopen. It is best to wait until everyone has received two doses of the vaccine.”

Lim said all 10 operators on Redang will open during the monsoon season.

“We want tourists to know that visiting the island during the monsoon season is not as dangerous as it is made out to be.

“We are also coming up with various activities to attract visitors during the wet season.” – August 23, 2021.