THE Pahang government is waiting for the green light from the national security council to reopen several strategic tourist destinations.

Tourism, culture, environment, plantation and commodity committee chairman Mohd Sharkar Shamsudin, said that the state government was ready to implement a tourism bubble.

“We understand that only domestic tourism is allowed to start but it is still a very welcome move.

“This will at least help industry players, who have long been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic,” he said.

He hoped that the people in Pahang could get vaccinated immediately, to ensure that more sectors, especially tourism, are allowed to reopen.

Sharkar said tourist locations with residents who had completed two doses of vaccine included Pulau Tioman, Taman Negara, Genting Highlands and Janda Baik.

“Completing the two doses of vaccine and compliance with SOPs are two things that are highly emphasised in the reopening of the tourism sector, to reduce the risk of the emergence of new clusters.

“This requires the co-operation of tourism industry operators and employees, the surrounding residents and tourists, to jointly ensure that no untoward incidents occur,” he said. – Bernama, September 7, 2021.