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ON May 17, the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (Motac) through Tourism Malaysia (TM) launched the Tourism Recovery Plan 2022 and the second version of the Cuti-Cuti Malaysia song in an effort to boost domestic tourism as it transitions to the endemic phase.

The recovery plan is a continuation of the Economic Stimulus Package and one of the initiatives will be the distribution of incentives in the form of discounts, vouchers and rebates to encourage Malaysians to travel within the country.

The scheme was rolled out on April 29 and the first beneficiaries were service providers in land transport and tourism associations.

It will later be expanded to air transport, accommodation and special interest segments such as scuba diving, homestays, shopping and theme parks.

Under land transport, TM has entered a strategic partnership with Express Rail Link Sdn Bhd and Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) to offer fare discounts of between RM10 and RM15, which will benefit a total of 64,675 riders in KLIA Ekspres and KTM service.

Under tourism associations, TM is collaborating with Malaysian Inbound Tourism Association, Malaysian Inbound Chinese Association, Malaysian Chinese Tourism Association, Malaysian Indian Tour and Travel Association and Bumitra Malaysia in offering various domestic travel destination packages by registered travel agents through the Shopee e-marketplace app.

A RM100 discount will be given to Malaysians buying travel packages between April 29 and Oct 31 and valid for travel until the end of this year.

The target is to attract 14,935 Malaysians to spend about RM3 million through Shopee Pay on domestic holiday packages.

It was reported that travel associations have welcomed the incentives for domestic tourism, but are asking for more to be done to accelerate the industry's recovery.

However, those interviewed did not propose any practical solution that could benefit a large number of tourism industry players.

During the recent National Recovery Council (NRC) meeting, TM presented a report on the recovery of the country's tourism sector.

But NRC chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin commented that the five-year target was too long, just as lengthy as five-year Malaysia Plans.

After chairing the meeting, he said the council had recommended that the government come up with new initiatives and assistance to help increase the capacity of tourism industry players, as they have been severely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic over the past two years.

But are trade associations and government agencies involved in tourism capable of finding new initiatives and aiding the 4,693 travel and tour companies currently registered with Motac?

How fruitful were the many meetings held between Motac and numerous associations?

Members of tour and travel associations were advised by their leaders that their proposals have been submitted to various ministries.

If so, how many were accepted and implemented, and were they effective in helping tourism businesses stay afloat?

The RM100 discount for 14,935 Malaysians would cost the government RM1,493,500.

On average, each of the 4,693 travel or tour companies will get to sell only three subsidised packages over a six-month period. The profits may not be enough to pay staff wages for a day.

Even during the best of times, few Malaysians purchased domestic packages from travel agents.

If they need accommodation, they could easily book directly with hotels or operators that offer short-term rentals of apartments or houses.

Likewise, they could book domestic flights and purchase train and bus tickets on their own.

In 2019, 98.5% of domestic visitors used land transport, with an overwhelming majority driving their own cars and spending RM15.5 billion on petrol or diesel in that year.

The amount spent on fuel was more than the expenditures for accommodation and other transport combined.

The main purpose for domestic travel was visiting relatives and friends, and their homes provided free accommodation for over 70% of domestic tourists.

Hence, Deputy Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Santhara Kumar said the recovery of the country's tourism sector will depend on the reopening of borders of other countries, notably China, which has yet to open its borders for its citizens to travel abroad.

Although Malaysia had reopened its borders since April 1 and Covid-19 testing requirements eased from May 1, the number of foreign tourist arrivals is expected to be low as airfares have soared and prices of many goods skyrocketed after Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb 24.

It will take a long time, if ever, for foreign visitor arrivals to Malaysia to surpass 35 million as in 2019.

That year, we received 26,100,784 foreign tourists plus another 8,944,841 excursionists that did not stay overnight. Last year, there were only 134,728 foreign tourists.

Meanwhile, if inbound tour operators continue to wait for foreign tourists that they are heavily dependent on, they would not survive the next few years and are likely to join those that have already perished since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic in early 2020.

While spokesmen for travel associations have rightfully called on the tourism ministry to look beyond the incentives listed under the 2022 Tourism Recovery Plan, travel and tour operators themselves have created nothing new or appealing for domestic visitors over the past decades.

And nothing will change if they continue with the same narratives and self-fulfilling prophecies.

Meetings are unproductive when participants from various organisations maintain opposing views and defend their positions. And the result is only a few proposals get implemented.

The best way to innovate and create novel products that could also appeal to the majority of Malaysians is to conduct laboratory sessions nationwide to generate many new domestic tours and travel services that could benefit a large number of tour bus operators and entrepreneurs.

In these labs, all participants are encouraged to share and speak freely as they will not be representing any organisation.

After a brainstorming session when no ideas will be judged but thoroughly discussed, participants will then be placed in small groups to work out solutions.

They are to proceed with the assumption that current obstacles, including regulations, could be overcome later. Their mission is to make the impossible possible.

Many would need a paradigm shift from playing the devil's advocate to believer of something untested or unknown.

If Tourism Malaysia or any of the eight travel associations sanctioned by Motac were to organise a tourism lab, I would be happy and ready to share at least five great ideas that could transform domestic tours in the country and would also put Malaysia on the world map.

Conducting tourism lab sessions nationwide could energise the entire nation and revitalise our country's economy, as new bus tours are highly visible, useful and have a great impact on the local population.

If not, conditions will continue largely status-quo and remain in the doldrums.

New initiatives and effective measures are elusive without the clarity and insight to find them.

Those looking at the same things may not be able to perceive without thinking outside the box.

Most choose convenience by dishing out more of the same, but such attempts would be in vain.

YS Chan is Asean tourism master trainer for travel agencies, master trainer for Mesra Malaysia and Travel & Tours Enhancement Course. He is also a tourism and transport industry consultant and writer. Comments: letters@thesundaily.com

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ON May 17, the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (Motac) through Tourism Malaysia (TM) launched the Tourism Recovery Plan 2022 and the second version of the Cuti-Cuti Malaysia song in an effort to boost domestic tourism as it transitions to the endemic phase.

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KUALA LUMPUR (June 3): The Malaysian tourism sector is only expected to fully recover in 2024 to pre-Covid 19 pandemic levels seen in 2019, in anticipation that tourist arrivals will be slow and gradual in 2022 and 2023 on high costs and limited corporate budget, while China is likely to keep borders closed to curb the spread of Covid-19, according to CGS-CIMB Securities Sdn Bhd.

In a note on Friday (June 3), CGS-CIMB economists Nazmi Idrus and Lim Yee Ping said CGS-CIMB estimates that Malaysia's 2022 foreign tourist arrivals will only reach 30% of 2019 levels.

"For 2023, tourist arrivals are still expected to underperform, reaching only 80% of 2019 levels," Nazmi and Lim said.

For 2022, CGS-CIMB expects Malaysia's foreign tourist arrival figure to reach 7.8 million people, compared to 26.1 million people in 2019, according to them.

"Fortunately, the government is already seeking ways to revive the sector by focusing on domestic tourism while waiting for foreign tourists to return.

"So far, our (CGS-CIMB) 2022F GDP growth [forecast for Malaysia] is maintained at 5.6% and monetary policy target is 2.50% by end 2022," they said.

Looking back, the tourism sector, which CGS-CIMB defines as a segment comprising the retail, accommodation, transport besides the food and beverage sectors, was the hardest hit by global movement restrictions due to the Covid-19 outbreak which began in early 2020, according to the economists.

With the lack of tourists, Malaysia's tourism revenue fell to RM12.7 billion in 2020 from RM86.1 billion in 2019, they said.

"Subsequently, the share of tourism to the economy fell to 14.1% of GDP in 2020, from 15.9% in 2019, reflecting a RM41.1 billion drop in gross value added. To cushion the impact, the sector relied heavily on domestic travellers throughout 2020 and 2021.

"In addition, the government introduced a list of measures in order to minimise business closures and cashflow issues. As a result, the sector avoided high bankruptcies and recorded a mild loss of employment," they said.

Looking ahead, they said reasons to be less optimistic about a full recovery in the Malaysian tourism sector in 2022 and 2023 include rising costs of transportation and food due to higher global commodity prices.

They said costlier transportation and food could deter potential travellers from venturing forth.

"This may offset the appeal of the weakened ringgit," Nazmi and Lim said.

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CGS-CIMB: Malaysian tourism sector to fully recover in 2024

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KUALA LUMPUR (June 3): The Malaysian tourism sector is only expected to fully recover in 2024 to pre-Covid 19 pandemic levels seen in 2019, in anticipation that tourist arrivals will be slow and gradual in 2022 and 2023 on high costs and limited corporate budget, while China is likely to keep border…

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VIDEO #5 TOURISM PRODUCTS   TRANSPORTATION SERVICES

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Ch-05: PRABANDHAN [Social Science - III]

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What is the importance of Transportation In Tourism Industry???

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VTL: Penang sees significant boost in recovery of transportation, tourism economy

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GEORGE TOWN (March 4): Penang sees a significant boost in the recovery of the transportation and tourism economy following the expansion of the Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) by air between Malaysia and Singapore to include Penang.State Executive Councillor for Tourism and Creative Economy Yeoh Soon H…

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PETALING JAYA: Public transportation between Malaysia and Singapore will resume services on April 1 when the two countries open their land borders to all travellers, says Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.

The Transport Minister said this applies to all forms of cross-border public transportation, including stage buses, express buses, tourist buses, worker buses and taxis.

"In line with the opening of the land border between Malaysia and Singapore from April 1, all classes of cross-border public transport vehicle services between both countries will also be allowed to operate from the same date.

"Beginning April 1, 2022, both countries will allow all travellers who have been fully vaccinated to cross the land border without having to undergo quarantine or perform Covid-19 tests, including pre-departure and on-arrival tests.

"This permission applies to all categories of travellers and the use of all types of land transport.

"Therefore, all public transport operators in the relevant countries can start making preparations towards restarting their operations, including renewing all relevant permits or licences, either with the Road Transport Department (JPJ), Land Public Transport Agency (APAD) or with the authorities in Singapore," said Dr Wee in a statement.

Dr Wee however said the resumption of the transportation service all depends on the readiness of the operators involved.

"The public can check with the relevant operators on the operational status of cross-border services that will be provided," said the minister.

Dr Wee also reminded all operators of cross-border public transportation to adhere to the existing Covid-19 standard operating procedures (SOP).

This includes ensuring all passengers undergo QR code check-ins and also refusing travellers who refuse to wear face masks.

"Travellers are responsible to ensure that they have MySejahtera app on their smartphones and that they meet all pre-determined travel conditions.

"Failure to do so will result in action being taken against the traveller, including compound fines and penalties under existing laws," said Dr Wee.

For those travelling in private cars into Malaysia, Dr Wee said they must remember to register and obtain their foreign vehicles entry permit (VEP) from https://vep.jpj.gov.my.

Vehicles that are registered will be provided with an RFID-VEP tag which will be equipped with the Touch n Go e-wallet app for the purpose of paying the Road Charge and toll.

All Singapore-registered private cars are required to pay a Road Charge of RM20 per entry upon entry into Malaysia via the Bangunan Sultan Iskandar and Kompleks Sultan Abu Bakar Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) checkpoints.

Dr Wee said travellers driving Singapore registered vehicles must ensure they have valid Touch n Go cards and that they have enough balance to pay their Road Charge to avoid congestion and delays.

"The Transport Ministry hopes the reopening of the Malaysia-Singapore borders will not only spur the economic growth of both countries, but also strengthen our family ties and friendships between Malaysians and Singaporeans," said Dr Wee.

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All public transportation services between Malaysia, Singapore allowed to resume on April 1, says Dr Wee

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PETALING JAYA: Public transportation between Malaysia and Singapore will resume services on April 1 when the two countries open their land borders to all travellers, says Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong. The Transport Minister said this applies to all forms of cross-border public transportation, including stage buses, express buses, tourist buses, worker buses and taxis.

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KUCHING (May 24): All airlines flying into and within Sarawak must use aerobridge for the safety and convenience of all passengers, especially the children, elderly and persons with special needs, said Sarawak Minister of Transport Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin.

He said for this reason, he had written and conveyed the matter to the chief executive officers of the airlines during his discussion with them.

"We care about the safety and convenience of travellers flying into and within Sarawak. We want travellers to have an enjoyable and pleasant experience when coming to Sarawak which is also part of our strategy to promote Sarawak as the preferred tourism and investment destination in this region.

"I want to thank the airlines and Malaysia Airport Holdings Berhad (MAHB) for their support in using aerobridge for all their flights into and within Sarawak," he said in his ministerial winding-up speech at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) today.

On airport upgrade plans, Lee informed that the ministry had engaged with the relevant authorities; namely Malaysia Airport Holdings Berhad, Civil Aviation Authority Malaysia (CAAM) and Malaysian Aviation Commission (Mavcom) on the plan to upgrade and expand the existing major airports.

He said based on the data available, some of the major airports in Sarawak had exceeded their design and built capacity.

"The Minister for Transport, Malaysia has personally visited some of the airports in Sarawak especially Miri Airport to see for himself the actual situation and the proposed improvement and upgrading works that need to be done," he said.

Noting the importance of Rural Air Services in Sarawak, Lee said the ministry had also conveyed to the Ministry of Transport, Malaysia and the relevant aviation authorities on the need to increase flight frequency, flight capacity and to extend the runway of these rural airports.

"Arising from our engagement with the Ministry of Transport, Malaysia including with CAAM, Mavcom and MAHB, their senior officers have personally visited and inspected some of these airports to look into ways to improve the safety of navigation and extension of the runway," he said.

On a separate note, Lee hopes that with the opening of borders, the vibrancy of economic activities and the implementation of programmes and projects under the BIMP-Eaga Vision 2025 will regain momentum in the near future.

"Through BIMP-EAGA, all member countries desire to boost trade, tourism and investments by easing the movement of people, goods and services across borders, making the best use of common infrastructure, natural resources and taking advantage of economic complementarity.

"The impact of Covid-19 pandemic on the economy and enabling sectors especially transport within BIMP-EAGA is profound but differs between member countries in terms of its scale and value. However, since April 2022, all member countries except Negara Brunei Darussalam have opened their borders," he said.

Lee said in the spirit of enhancing bilateral cooperation, it is important to improve relationship and promote trade between neighbouring countries especially involving those inhabitants staying along the border.

"In the context of Sarawak, we have existing mutual cooperation with our neighbour, West Kalimantan, Indonesia established through a special platform called Sosek-Malindo since 1985.

"My ministry as the leader of Transportation and Insurance Technical Team under the Economics, Trade and Communication Cluster of Sosek-Malindo, has been tasked to hold discussion on transport related cross-border issues, including movement of public transport, vehicle insurance and logistics between Sarawak and West Kalimantan," he said.

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Lee: All airlines must use aerobridge for safety, convenience of passengers - Borneo Post Online

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KUCHING (May 24): All airlines flying into and within Sarawak must use aerobridge for the safety and convenience of all passengers, especially the children, elderly and persons with special needs, said Sarawak Minister of Transport Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin.

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P PREM KUMAR, Nikkei staff writer

KUALA LUMPUR -- Malaysia reopened its borders on Friday to allow quarantine-free travel and tourism after two years, as the country transitions to treating COVID-19 as endemic.

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Malaysia reopens border fully to foreign tourists after 2 years

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P PREM KUMAR, Nikkei staff writer KUALA LUMPUR -- Malaysia reopened its borders on Friday to allow quarantine-free travel and tourism after two years, as the country transitions to treating COVID-19 as endemic.

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One of the most essential things that contributes to the success of the tourist business is transportation (Page 2009, Palhares 2003). Transportation is critical in the tourist sector, according to Lamb and Davidson (1996), since it directly connects supply (production) and demand (market). The primary function of transportation in tourism is to offer accessibility. Many academics have stated that tourism cannot exist without accessibility (Chew 1987, Prideaux 2000). Tourists' accessibility is determined not only by their ability to reach their destinations, but also by their ability to use transportation services once they there. These accessibility criteria have an impact on tourists' impressions throughout their vacation and are determining elements in the overall appeal of places.

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In general, increasing the accessibility of a tourist site may be accomplished by expanding the transportation infrastructure network or enhancing connection between the network and tourist attractions. For example, creating a direct link between the two sites within the transportation network might shorten the distance between a tourist's point of origin and the targeted destination. Activities that promote connectivity between the transportation network and lodgings include widening interconnections and offering well-organized cab connections for visitors near central bus or rail terminals (Rietveld and Bruinsma 1998, Litman 2008).

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Depending on the function of the link to the destination, the impact of transportation upgrades on tourism may differ for various sorts of passengers. The establishment of an inter-regional high-speed rail line, for example, might improve inter-regional accessibility. Rather than enhancing tourist flows created at the destination, this development will effect tourism flows from the point of origin to the destination (Pagliara et al. 2015, Gutiérrez, González, and Gómez 1996).

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The improved quality of relevant tourism services – especially, communication and information, booking procedures, restaurants, lodging, and related transportation services, among other things – can not only increase the destination's accessibility, but also influence tourists' preferences. The value of travel-related services in tourism has been demonstrated in several research. According to Rheims, Bazin, Beckerich, and Delaplace (2011), a destination's lack of luxury hotels is a concern since business visitors want this sort of lodging. Limited restaurant offerings on weekends, they added, might be troublesome for the tourism business. The "One-stop online booking and Immigration Card," a service practise used in the Bahamas, allows travellers to book and amend their plans online, as well as communicate with their travel companions via email in real time. The Bahamas government devised and produced the Immigration Card, which contains passenger information, to increase security and streamline procedures for tourists. This service increased accessibility to the Bahamas and drew more visitors (Wignaraja, Lezama, and Joiner 2004).

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0:00 / 9:53•Watch full video

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Transportation (Introduction to Tourism Sectors)