ALOR SETAR: Tourism players in Langkawi are receiving numerous enquiries following the reopening of state borders, but the actual jump in room bookings is expected once the government decides on the revised health protocol.
Kedah/Perlis chapter of Malaysian Hoteliers Association vice-chairman Razmi Rahmat said hoteliers in Langkawi have been receiving many enquiries on the latest Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for inbound travellers.
However, he said many prospective visitors are still unclear on the new SOPs following the lifting of the inter-state travel ban yesterday.
"Our members are receiving many enquiries whether the SOPs under Langkawi's travel bubble pilot project is still enforced, particularly on the Covid-19 swab test requirement.
"We hope the government will update us on the matter soon, so we can provide clear explanation to inbound travellers," he said when contacted.
Under the tourism bubble programme for vaccinated travellers which began on Sept 16, inbound travellers to Langkawi are required to undergo Covid-19 screening.
They may choose either the polymerase chain reaction (Rt-PCR) or the antigen rapid (RTK-Antigen) swab test at any public or private healthcare facility within 48 hours before departing for Langkawi.
Ramzi said visitor arrivals in Langkawi have been improving steadily since Sept 16, with up to 2,000 travellers arriving by flights daily.
"We hope this number will jump further with clearer SOPs and also higher frequency of ferry services to the island," he said.
Langkawi ferry services have been limited to just one trip daily from Kuala Kedah to Langkawi and two trips daily from Kuala Perlis to Langkawi due to low passenger volumes following the enforcement of the Movement Control Order (MCO) in February.
Langkawi Ferry Line Ventures Consortium operation and human resources manager Capt Baharin Baharom said the company would be increasing ferry frequency in stages.
"We are sticking to the current frequency for now and will duly increase the number once passenger volume starts picking up again.
"Many people are still confused whether the SOPs under the travel bubble for Langkawi still apply, so we hope the government will make an announcement soon," he said.
Meanwhile, Kedah Tourism, Arts and Cultural committee chairman Mohd Firdaus Ahmad said the SOPs under the Langkawi tourism bubble still applied for the island pending a further announcement.
"I am told that the Ministry of Tourism has submitted a proposed SOP review to the National Security Council following the resumption of interstate travel.
"We hope it will be announced soon, as this will certainly boost our efforts to revive Langkawi and Kedah's tourism sector," he told NST.
He said Langkawi's visitor arrival has exceeded initial targets of 30,000 people last month.
"We have recorded over 70,000 visitor arrivals to date and with the reopening of state borders we strongly believe we will be able to surpass the 200,000 visitors arrival target by end of this year," he added.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob had on Sunday announced the reopening of state borders, which allows the resumption of interstate travel, as the country reached the 90 per cent target of Covid-19 vaccination for its adult population.
The country's borders, however, are still closed to foreign tourists.
The tourism industry in Malaysia reported an estimated RM100 billion losses last year and another RM45 billion for the first half of this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.