THE government has cancelled the Visit Malaysia 2020 campaign due to the Covid-19 situation, Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Nancy Shukri announced tonight.

She said the pandemic has had a detrimental effect on tourism the world over.

Due to the movement control order from March 18 to 31 to check the outbrak, the ministry has had to freeze many tourism-related services, she said in a statement.

The services include all counter and online services at the tourism licensing division and ministry offices in the states, such as licensing of tour companies, tour guides, tourism accommodation, spas and foot reflexology centres, she added.

Nancy said all tourist accommodations are allowed to continue operations at a minimal level.

“All guests at the accommodation premises must remain in their respective rooms during the quarantine period and order their meals through room service.

“Check-ins at tourist accommodations will also be permitted but on a small and limited scale.”

New domestic visitors are not allowed to check in, however.

VM2020 was launched on December 31, targeting 30 million visitor arrivals and RM100 billion tourist receipts. – Bernama, March 18, 2020.