KUALA LUMPUR: Although the Malaysian government has allowed domestic tourism to resume, industry players are expecting a slow pace of recovery as people remain wary of travelling due to COVID-19.
Casa Del Mar Resort in Langkawi told CNA that although there have been many enquiries since the lifting of the conditional movement control order (CMCO) on Jun 10, it was still struggling to meet its usual occupancy levels.
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“Our main support is from our guests in Europe and although we have support from local guests, the numbers are not as many," said front office manager Vinud Athithan.
“Until the (international) borders open, it is going to be difficult to go back to where we were, but we will try and keep going because that will take a long time,” he said.
Casa Del Mar Resort in Langkawi. (Photo: Casa Del Mar)
A front office manager from Hard Rock Hotel in Penang also said despite a surge of enquiries from domestic travellers, the hotel does not expect to meet the pre-MCO occupancy levels for a long time to come.
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“I cannot give you a fixed percentage, but a large number of our guests are from overseas. Europe, China, Singapore and all. So now with borders closed, the recovery will be very very slow.
“Thankfully, we do have a good number of Malaysian guests who support our establishment as well, so that is keeping us going,” said the manager who did not want to be named.
READ: Eiffel Tower to reopen – but you will have to take the stairs
According to a Tourism Malaysia survey published in April, 50.9 per cent of 13,797 respondents felt that travelling within the country would be safer after the MCO. In addition, 71.3 per cent of those surveyed said they would opt for domestic trips rather than holidays abroad.
Malaysia is currently in the recovery phase of the MCO, which is scheduled to last until Aug 31.
Zoo Negara's deputy president Rahmat Ahmat Lana also told CNA that he expects the recovery in visitor numbers to be slow.
“As the economy recovers, we expect the numbers to grow slowly. Yet we also expect it to stabilise to some type of normalcy as the public would definitely want to visit the zoo with their families," he said.
To encourage people to visit the zoo, it is running a promotion from Jun 13 to Jun 20, during which the first 100 visitors daily can get tickets for one year of unlimited entry, he said.
READ: Malaysia's Q1 GDP unexpectedly expands, seen contracting this quarter
"WE JUST CANNOT RISK IT"
Travellers interviewed by CNA also said that they would not rush into booking trips for now.
Diving instructor Aaron Tan said although the state borders have reopened, he would not be making any dive trips in the near future.
“I am honestly craving to be underwater. It is what I do for a living, but when I go on these trips, we take a whole batch of people with us and we just cannot risk it. It is not worth it at all,” he said.
Asked if he would wait for a vaccine before travelling, Mr Tan said he would most likely wait for about six months before he makes his next trip.
“For now, my open water divers cant go because we cannot do pool training. So we have to wait regardless.
“Now that cases have reduced tremendously in Malaysia, it is a matter of time before things improve further. We just need to be patient for a while. Vaccine would be too long a wait though,” he said.
Previously, the Health Ministry's director-general Noor Hisham Abdullah had said that it would take anything between one year and 18 months before a vaccine is on the market.
READ: Malaysias AirAsia to resume all domestic routes from July
Travellers are worried about places that do not comply with health protocols. (File photo: Bernama)
Travel blogger Farah Nadiah added that she would only be comfortable travelling if destinations and tourism establishments complied with the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) as spelt out by the authorities.
“The situation in Malaysia is pretty much under control so as to allow for domestic travel. Waiting for a vaccine will be waiting for an unknown.
“So long as preventive measures and the new normal SOPs are adhered to, I believe that domestic travel is safe. Business travel is definitely happening, whether one likes it or not,” she said.
REDUCED OPERATING CAPACITY
Amazing Borneo Marketing Director Khay Inn Poh said although their north Borneo cruises were restarted last week, the capacity has been reduced to 50 per cent to comply with social distancing.
“We are still expecting our sales to be affected … We have rolled out local promotions. We hope that can help," she said.
North Borneo sunset cruise. (Photo: Amazing Borneo)
She said that in the past, the cruises typically operated at around 70 per cent to 80 per cent capacity, or close to 200 people per trip. However, sales are not expected to hit this level for now.
"People are just more wary to travel” she added.
The travel agency, who also organises trips to Mount Kinabalu, noted that the number of climbers permitted has been reduced.
Mount Kinabalu Trail. (Photo: Amazing Borneo)
“Previously 185 climbers were allowed a day. Now only 100 climbers are allowed.
“International demand is obviously higher but now that borders are (still) closed, we are fully banking on domestic travellers,” Ms Khay said.
RECOVERY WOULD TAKE AT LEAST A YEAR: ANALYSTS
Given the current situation, analysts predict that Malaysias tourism sector would need at least one year to recover from COVID-19.
Sunway University economics professor Yeah Kim Leng said although tourism activities have been allowed to resume, restaurants and hotels would still be hit by the cost of compliance.
“The Standard Operating Procedures would hinder their businessRead More – Source
KUALA LUMPUR: Although the Malaysian government has allowed domestic tourism to resume, industry players are expecting a slow pace of recovery as people remain wary of travelling due to COVID-19.
Casa Del Mar Resort in Langkawi told CNA that although there have been many enquiries since the lifting of the conditional movement control order (CMCO) on Jun 10, it was still struggling to meet its usual occupancy levels.
Advertisement
Advertisement
“Our main support is from our guests in Europe and although we have support from local guests, the numbers are not as many," said front office manager Vinud Athithan.
“Until the (international) borders open, it is going to be difficult to go back to where we were, but we will try and keep going because that will take a long time,” he said.
Casa Del Mar Resort in Langkawi. (Photo: Casa Del Mar)
A front office manager from Hard Rock Hotel in Penang also said despite a surge of enquiries from domestic travellers, the hotel does not expect to meet the pre-MCO occupancy levels for a long time to come.
Advertisement
Advertisement
“I cannot give you a fixed percentage, but a large number of our guests are from overseas. Europe, China, Singapore and all. So now with borders closed, the recovery will be very very slow.
“Thankfully, we do have a good number of Malaysian guests who support our establishment as well, so that is keeping us going,” said the manager who did not want to be named.
READ: Eiffel Tower to reopen – but you will have to take the stairs
According to a Tourism Malaysia survey published in April, 50.9 per cent of 13,797 respondents felt that travelling within the country would be safer after the MCO. In addition, 71.3 per cent of those surveyed said they would opt for domestic trips rather than holidays abroad.
Malaysia is currently in the recovery phase of the MCO, which is scheduled to last until Aug 31.
Zoo Negara's deputy president Rahmat Ahmat Lana also told CNA that he expects the recovery in visitor numbers to be slow.
“As the economy recovers, we expect the numbers to grow slowly. Yet we also expect it to stabilise to some type of normalcy as the public would definitely want to visit the zoo with their families," he said.
To encourage people to visit the zoo, it is running a promotion from Jun 13 to Jun 20, during which the first 100 visitors daily can get tickets for one year of unlimited entry, he said.
READ: Malaysia's Q1 GDP unexpectedly expands, seen contracting this quarter
"WE JUST CANNOT RISK IT"
Travellers interviewed by CNA also said that they would not rush into booking trips for now.
Diving instructor Aaron Tan said although the state borders have reopened, he would not be making any dive trips in the near future.
“I am honestly craving to be underwater. It is what I do for a living, but when I go on these trips, we take a whole batch of people with us and we just cannot risk it. It is not worth it at all,” he said.
Asked if he would wait for a vaccine before travelling, Mr Tan said he would most likely wait for about six months before he makes his next trip.
“For now, my open water divers cant go because we cannot do pool training. So we have to wait regardless.
“Now that cases have reduced tremendously in Malaysia, it is a matter of time before things improve further. We just need to be patient for a while. Vaccine would be too long a wait though,” he said.
Previously, the Health Ministry's director-general Noor Hisham Abdullah had said that it would take anything between one year and 18 months before a vaccine is on the market.
READ: Malaysias AirAsia to resume all domestic routes from July
Travellers are worried about places that do not comply with health protocols. (File photo: Bernama)
Travel blogger Farah Nadiah added that she would only be comfortable travelling if destinations and tourism establishments complied with the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) as spelt out by the authorities.
“The situation in Malaysia is pretty much under control so as to allow for domestic travel. Waiting for a vaccine will be waiting for an unknown.
“So long as preventive measures and the new normal SOPs are adhered to, I believe that domestic travel is safe. Business travel is definitely happening, whether one likes it or not,” she said.
REDUCED OPERATING CAPACITY
Amazing Borneo Marketing Director Khay Inn Poh said although their north Borneo cruises were restarted last week, the capacity has been reduced to 50 per cent to comply with social distancing.
“We are still expecting our sales to be affected … We have rolled out local promotions. We hope that can help," she said.
North Borneo sunset cruise. (Photo: Amazing Borneo)
She said that in the past, the cruises typically operated at around 70 per cent to 80 per cent capacity, or close to 200 people per trip. However, sales are not expected to hit this level for now.
"People are just more wary to travel” she added.
The travel agency, who also organises trips to Mount Kinabalu, noted that the number of climbers permitted has been reduced.
Mount Kinabalu Trail. (Photo: Amazing Borneo)
“Previously 185 climbers were allowed a day. Now only 100 climbers are allowed.
“International demand is obviously higher but now that borders are (still) closed, we are fully banking on domestic travellers,” Ms Khay said.
RECOVERY WOULD TAKE AT LEAST A YEAR: ANALYSTS
Given the current situation, analysts predict that Malaysias tourism sector would need at least one year to recover from COVID-19.
Sunway University economics professor Yeah Kim Leng said although tourism activities have been allowed to resume, restaurants and hotels would still be hit by the cost of compliance.
“The Standard Operating Procedures would hinder their businessRead More – Source
