UNHAPPY with the fall of the Malacca government just when interstate travel is allowed, travel and tour operators now want the incoming state administration to prioritise tourism once they take office.

The operators are not concerned which party comes into power as they want the focus to be on recovery and stability.

Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel agents Malacca chapter chairman Goh Hock Gin said they are upset that elections were called just when state borders reopened.

“We are expecting the industry to recover but things have not gone as planned especially with elections being held now.

“We are worried about this situation. If we close down one more time, I really don’t know how the state will recover again,” Goh told The Malaysian Insight.

He said that being a tourist state, it would not be easy for Malacca to recover from another downturn.

“We hope that whoever governs the state will give the tourism industry priority because for Malacca, the economy thrives on tourism.”

Polling is fixed for Saturday. The Malacca government collapsed after four assemblymen withdrew support for chief minister Sulaiman Md Ali, which led to the dissolution of the legislative assembly.

Goh said the tourism industry was the first to be hit during the epidemic last year and the last to recover.

“The recovery now is very slow. It’s not going to be easy. When we heard that interstate travel was allowed again, we all got excited.

“So definitely, we have been looking forward to better days. Sadly, the state elections have to be called.

Goh said that since interstate travel is allowed, hotels, theme parks and other attractions have seen a 60% increase in visitors during weekends and up to 30% hike during weekdays.

“The elections have affected tourism in the state. We should be achieving about 60% but now there is a drop of at least 20%.

“If the elections are not held, it (tourism) will be much better. But the fear (of infections) has not subsided.”

Goh said that since the epidemic started, 21 tour and travel operators have shut down their businesses for good.

“We used to have 78 members but now we are down to 57 members,” he said.

“The epidemic has impacted the tourism industry badly. Everyone is worried about the Covid-19 situation.”

Goh hopes that the state government will restructure the tourism industry.

“It must look into the marketing and promotion of tourism for Malacca.

“Not much assistance has been given except from Penjana (the government aid scheme) but the RM1,000 in assistance is not enough,” he said. – November 17, 2021.