OVERSEAS travel will cost more even with countries reopening their borders due to health measures that are still in place to curb the spread of Covid-19, industry experts said.

They said travellers will now have to factor in the cost of testing for Covid-19 and travel insurance on top of what they are paying for flights, accommodation and food.

Matters are further complicated as there is no standardised entry requirement, instead respective countries can draw up their own requirements.

Apple Vacations Sdn Bhd group managing director Koh Yock Heng said travel costs will be affected by these factors.

“Entry to every country is different, travellers are required to purchase travel insurance for Covid-19 and testing requirements also vary,” Koh said.

The future of travel, he said, is full of uncertainty as an outbreak can disrupt travel plans.

Tour groups now charge 20% to 30% more to account for the pandemic, he said.

For example, tour groups to Japan used to cost RM6,500 pre-pandemic but have increased by RM1,000 due to limited hotels, cost of insurance and other standard operating procedures, Koh said.

Koh suggests that travellers choose smaller groups of less than 10 to be safe.

In case of an emergency, tour operators are able to easily make changes to schedules and bookings, he said.

Apple Travel is promoting a 10-point safety measure which includes ensuring the safety of the travellers, flexible cancellation policies, upgraded travel insurance, up to date travel information, video briefings and travel gear among others.

These changes were adapted due to the uncertainty that the sector faces in a Covid-19 world, Koh said, adding that in the event someone catches the virus mid trip, they will arrange for hospitalisation and isolation.

The United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) data showed that there was a 74% reduction in travel in 2020 while there was a 67% reduction in 2021.

It said that many people are still afraid to travel by air.

Travel insurance varies according to destination

Malaysian Chinese Tourism Association (MCTA) president Paul Paw said the sum insured for various countries is different. 

For Turkey for example, travellers must buy insurance that will cover up to US$50,000 (RM214,000) which will cost around RM600.

The upside is that tourists entering the country do not need to undergo pre-departure screening and the Turkish government has provided heavily discounted air fares via Turkish Airlines.

“If you get infected while in Turkey, you can use the insurance to pay for isolation or hospitalisation costs.

“Even entry into Thailand requires you to purchase an insurance that will cover up to RM214,000.”

Paw said that he hopes Malaysia will continue to keep its borders open as the industry cannot afford another lockdown.

“We are adjusting our business model and recalling old staff for training. We cannot afford another lockdown.”

Malaysian Inbound Chinese Association (MICA) president Angie Ng said since there are no standard guidelines for travelling overseas, travel agents must follow SOP when conducting groups abroad.

“Covid-19 is like a cold, the Ministry of Health says we have to quarantine if we are positive.”

While the cost of travelling abroad has gone up due to the added requirements, Ng said countries are vigorously promoting tourism as well as providing subsidies.

There has been an uptick in eco tourism which can help create jobs, she said.

“Tourism has changed, We are reviewing and promoting eco tourism which focuses on the outdoors to lower the risk of infections.

“We are now actively promoting India and other South East Asian countries.”

Domestic travel safer

Malaysian Inbound Tourism Association (MITA) president Uzaidi Udanis said the insurance requirement is burdensome to tourists.

“If the cost goes up by RM200 for one person, for a family of four that is an extra RM800. With the increase in fuel prices, airfares are expected to cost 48% more.

“Airlines such as Malaysia Airlines also charge fuel surcharge, this is not good for the industry.”

Uzaidi said a round-trip from Pakistan to Malaysia costs RM2,800 while from Pakistan to London it costs RM300.

Given the small difference in ticket price, most would rather go to London, he said.

“We hope the government will make entering Malaysia easier and do away with the pre-departure PCR test and RTK testing 24 hours upon arrival.”

Uzaidi is, however, of the view that travellers coming to Malaysia may lead to more infections.

Travelling domestically reduces risks, he said.

According to the Immigration department, on the first four days when the border reopened on April1, Malaysia welcomed a total of 252,730 in-bound and out-bound travellers.

There were 126,392 Malaysians who entered the country while 28,301 exited. At the same time, 55,121 foreigners entered the country while 42,916 left. – April 21, 2022.