Slow but steady boom expected in tourism

Tourism Malaysia Published 2 years ago on 28 March 2022 | Author TIN Media
MALAYSIA:

The return of international tourists to Malaysia may get off to a slow start when the country’s borders are reopened on April 1.

However, tourism industry players expect the influx of foreign visitors to pick up when all Covid-19 travel kinks are ironed out. Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH) chief executive officer Yap Lip Seng said a minimal increase in the number of tourist arrivals was expected for the first month, but this was expected to grow by the third quarter of this year.

“The reopening could go both ways, especially during the initial implementation period – instead of getting more arrivals, we could see more Malaysian opting to travel overseas.

“We will likely see a minimal increase at first because travellers would be unsure of the requirements on both sides.

“But it (borders being reopened) is essential and long overdue,” he said.

Yap said there should be more effort in marketing and promotions to putting Malaysia back on the world tourism map.