LANGKAWI, the pilot project for the country’s travel concept, has shown to be a success since it was opened on Malaysia Day, when it recorded a total of 9,500 tourist arrivals, Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Nancy Shukri said.

She said so far, no Covid-19 cases was recorded among tourists, as stated by Kedah health director Dr Othman Warijo.

“We can see the potential of Langkawi, which is the (pioneer) model, that has been a success.

“Generally, other tourism destinations, especially in areas like Genting Highlands and Fraser’s Hill, have achieved 100% rate for full vaccination and are ready to reopen.

“Tomorrow, Insya Allah, will be a meeting to discuss the opening of interstate tourism,” she said.

She said this on Bernama TV’s Malaysia Petang Ini programme titled Pelancongan Kebangkitan Industri today.

The Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry (Motac) had previously targeted about 200,000 domestic tourists to visit Langkawi from September 16 until December after the resort island’s tourism industry was reopened under the travel bubble pilot project.

It is also targeting about 30,000 travellers to visit the island this month.

Nancy, meanwhile, said her ministry had tabled proposals from tourism industry players to the Finance Ministry (MOF), which will hopefully be used as a guide in the tabling of the coming Budget 2022.

“Last Friday, Motac together with tourism industry agencies and players held a focus group meeting with MOF and we submitted what was proposed by them and it looks positive.

“Our aim this time is to help the people. Insya Allah, what we have tabled to MOF would be heard, especially, for the sake of the small and medium industries as they have been the most affected,” she said. – Bernama, September 20, 2021.