ISSUING a travel advisory will help reassure tourists that Malaysia is safe and measures are in place to contain the novel coronavirus outbreak, The Star reported the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (Matta) as saying.

Matta president Tan Kok Liang said issuing a travel advisory will help allay fears and reduce negative perceptions among tourists.

He added there have been tour cancellations due to negative perception while other countries have issued travel advisories.

“Sadly, we are slow to react. Matta has to come out with its own travel advisory at this point in time,” he was quoted as saying.

“Personally (I) have received cancellations by three groups, 30-40 passengers each, from this month until June,” Tan said, adding that the cancellations came from Turkey and the Middle East.

“Malaysia is safe but this needs to be translated into measures taken by the government to counter negative perceptions.”

Meanwhile, he has lauded the Health Ministry’s efforts to contain the outbreak.

The association will continue to be guided by decisions made by the prime minister and Health Ministry, he said.

Matta is also on the hunt for alternative markets such as Asean, India and even domestic tourists to make up for the shortfall of Chinese arrivals.

The association has started engaging with state and national tourism stakeholders in relation to the move.

Malaysian Association of Hotels chief executive officer Yap Lip Seng said there is no need to bar Chinese travellers.

He added other countries are still receiving Chinese tourists.

“We need to understand that the move to stop anyone from coming into the country is to prevent the spread of diseases.

“Current policies in place in China as well as those in our country are sufficient and effective in preventing the virus’ spread, hence there is no need to bar Chinese tourists.

“We are confident that Malaysia is safe for tourism, and the government has done an excellent job in containing the disease.”

He added that the industry has mooted the “MalaysiaIsSafe” campaign to encourage tourists from domestic and international markets.

The Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry said that it will restructure the Visit Malaysia 2020 promotion plans to focus on other markets apart from China, as the tourism sector factors in the effects from the outbreak.

The focus markets are Europe, Australia, Middle East, Central Asia, Russia, as well Japan and South Korea.

Minister Mohamaddin Ketapi said the target of 30 million foreign tourist arrivals and RM100 billion receipts for Visit Malaysia 2020 remains. – February 5, 2020.