PUTRAJAYA’S decision to allow travel among green zones will kick start the tourism industry, which took a severe beating during the Covid-19 pandemics, said the Malaysian Tourism Council (MTC). 

Its President Uzaidi Udanis said the industry has lost an estimated RM45 billion since the first lockdown in March.

“The tourism industry was among the first affected by the pandemic, in the first six months, it is estimated that the industry lost around RM45 billion,” he said in a statement. 

Uzaidi said he hoped the RM200 million allocation given to the industry in Budget 2021 would be channelled to those affected as soon as possible. 

He said the allocation would encourage more domestic spending and help the local economy. 

“To welcome the government’s effort, MTC is ready to work with the Tourism Ministry including Arts and Culture Ministry to make sure all industry players affected benefit from the allocation,” he said. 

Uzaidi said he hopes the government would come up detailed guidelines to ensure that the public is not confused with the terms. 

Yesterday, the National Security Council (NSC) special meeting heard a proposal tabled by the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry on a green travel bubbles to help domestic tourism, which has been badly affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Senior Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob the move is only applicable for those living in green states or districts and the destination must also be in the green zones.

He cited an example where those from Kuantan, which is a green zone, can go for a holiday in Taman Negara in Kuala Tahan, which is also a green zone.

Those from Pahang who want to go to Johor, which is now a green zone, but need to pass through Negri Sembilan need to get police permission to pass through the red zone.

However, he said, those from the green zones are not allowed to travel to red zones except if they have police permission. – November 21, 2020.