The Malaysian Insight

TOURISM players are eagerly awaiting the government’s decision on when to fully reopen the country’s borders, but they also want a comprehensive plan in place to prevent Covid-19 spread and further lockdowns.

Putrajaya must ensure the healthcare system can cope should international tourism cause another wave of infections, they said, adding that reasonable standard operating procedures (SOP) must be implemented before tourist arrivals.

Malaysian Inbound Tourism Association president Uzaidi Udanis said international tourism should still be regulated to ensure health guidelines are followed.

Tourists should be encouraged to sign up for tour packages with reputable agencies that will provide a fixed itinerary and be responsible for ensuring SOP compliance, he added.

“We welcome this suggestion (to reopen borders), but we hope it will be planned in such a way as to attract tourists who will purchase and join tour packages to curb the spread of Covid-19,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

He is responding to the possibility that the government may fully reopen borders without quarantine on March 1, as announced by National Recovery Council (NRC) chairman Muhyiddin Yassin.

However, the announcement was met with confusion as it was not immediately clear that the government has yet to make a decision.

Defence Minister Hishammuddin Hussein later clarified that the date is only a proposal by the NRC and still needs to be studied.

March 1 is too soon, since the government has yet to provide any other detail about the border reopening, said Uzaidi.

Comprehensive measures needed before reopening

Malaysian Association of Tour & Travel Agents (Matta) treasurer Nigel Wong said protocols must be in place before Malaysia welcomes international travellers.

The pre-entry screening, quarantine period, as well as insurance and medical cost should a traveller contract Covid-19 in the country must all be taken into account, he added.

“The government should also communicate with tour operators so preparations can be made as many have been dormant for the past two years.”

He said Putrajaya will be able to handle incoming tourists and mitigate Covid-19 outbreaks should it stick to the Langkawi International travel Bubble model.

“Langkawi has proven to be successful. The government should further perfect what it has done there.”

He cited a research that found Malaysia is likely to receive tourists from Australia, India, Japan and South Korea first should its borders reopen. European and American tourists, however, have no plan to visit any time soon.

Malaysian Chinese Tourism Association president Paul Paw said Putrajaya should conduct market research before fully reopening borders to ensure the healthcare system can cope should international tourism cause another wave of coronavirus infections.

“We recommend that borders be gradually opened, as done by China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. Tourism operators cannot afford another Covid-19 wave that can cause the country to shut down again.”

Tourism operators will be in a bind if cases surge and tourists become fearful and demand refunds, he added.

“Businesses will suffer again. We have learned from the past and dare not take any risk. The government should consider all scenarios before fully reopening borders.”

Sabah Matta manager Kennedy Fung said as the state’s tourism sector relies heavily on foreign tourists, stringent SOP is a must.

The government should also address the use of the RTK-Antigen test as a screening tool as it is sometimes inaccurate, he added.

“It is not accurate. Some (tourists) only know that they are positive after they arrive. We urge the government to look into this matter.”

In 2019, Malaysia welcomed 26.1 million tourists and RM86.1 billion receipts, according to the Tourism Malaysia portal.

In 2020, the figures drastically dropped to 4.33 million tourists and RM12.7 billion receipts due to the pandemic and subsequent lockdowns. – February 19, 2022.