WHETHER it is watching dolphins in Perak or clicking away at crocodiles along Sg Kuantan, tour operators are busy identifying new local destinations to boost the tourism industry hit hard by Covid-19.

They are trying to kick-start the industry by promoting local attractions, including food and sightseeing spots, in different states, following border closures because of the coronavirus pandemic.

However, there are also warning signs – looking at hotel occupancies – that domestic attractions alone are not enough to revive the industry. For that, the country’s borders must open soon to foreign tourists.

Malaysian Inbound Tourism Association president Uzaidi Udanis said local tourism players are primarily promoting beaches, islands, national parks and other natural environments.

In the new normal, he said, the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia, Port Dickson and Shah Alam’s national park are popular attractions.

There are also less-travelled places, such as the Kuala Sepetang mangrove tour in Perak.

Uzaidi said the fishing village makes for a nice family retreat, where they may chance upon humpback dolphins.

Another attraction is the Sg Kuantan tour, where people can observe wild crocodiles in their habitat.

“You can see dolphins in Kuala Sepetang and experience the thrill of being surrounded by crocodiles in Kuantan,” Uzaidi told The Malaysian Insight.

Cost, time and distance are the main factors when it comes to looking for holiday spots, he said.

Most people prefer cheap but good travel packages, he said, adding that many are also holidaying at beaches or islands near their hometown, providing business to local tourism spots and hotels.

Most prefer locations within a two-hour drive.

Uzaidi said one-day bus tours are popular among “aunties” and “mak cik”, such as day trips to Cameron Highlands and Muar on the weekends.

Local players should seize the opportunity, he said.

“Since we have chosen to coexist with Covid-19, precautionary measures are a must. Tour operators constantly remind tourists to observe health and safety SOPs, especially those set by the federal and state governments. Even national parks have many restrictions.”

He praised the government for subsidising Covid-19 quarantine and screening costs for tourism workers, with 5,000 government clinics throughout the country ready to receive patients and conduct tests for between RM60 and RM80.

The domestic tourism industry is showing signs of recovery, although it is not yet profitable after suffering zero income earlier this year.

Call to open borders

Malaysia Association of Tour and Travel Agents (Matta) secretary-general Nigel Wong, however, said tour operators cannot rely solely on domestic tourism to make a profit. International tourism still needs to be considered.

As such, he said, many operators are training employees and creating packages for foreign travel later in the year or next year.

“We hope that border restrictions will loosen by the start of next year, and we are focusing on the China and Asian markets in order to create a long-term partnership.”

He said September’s e-Matta fair will also help push the industry towards digitalisation.

“We plan to have the Matta fair in October, so we have been preparing these few months and are proceeding according to the Covid-19 situation.”

He urged the government to set up a tourism infrastructure for international visitors to restore their confidence to holiday in Malaysia.

Meanwhile, Malaysian Chinese Tourism Association president Albert Tan said even though the recovery movement-control order has provided a lifeline for local tourism, visitors only arrive on the weekends and attractions remain quiet on weekdays even in popular destinations, such as Penang, Malacca and the west coast of the peninsula.

“In Penang and Malacca, there’s a 70% to 80% occupancy rate in hotels during the weekends, but it’s still quiet during normal days.

“And in cities such as Kuala Lumpur, some five-star hotels are only getting a 30% occupancy rate. Promoting local tourism only helps certain segments of the sector, not all.” 

Tour operators are relying on local tourists to stay afloat and pay staff salaries, but are waiting with bated breath for the government to reopen the borders as international tourists are vital to the industry, he said.

Tan urged the government to allow more flights between the peninsula and Bornean states, along with more affordable tickets to attract tourists to Sabah and Sarawak.

“Many Malaysians have not been to the Bornean states because for the same price and flight time, most peninsula folk would choose to go overseas instead.

“We can take advantage of this period to travel to Sabah and Sarawak, and we urge airlines to establish more flights from there to Penang and Johor Baru.

“At this time, there are three main tourism routes recommended by industry players. People from Kuala Lumpur like to go to the west coast, to Kelantan, Terengganu and Kuantan, while the west coast folk like going to Cameron Highlands, Penang and Langkawi.

“Meanwhile, the northerners like travelling to Kuala Lumpur, Johor and Malacca.” – August 4, 2020.