LUMUT: Hotel bookings at popular duty free island, Pulau Pangkor increased by 78 per cent after interstate travel was allowed from Monday.
Perak Housing, Local Government and Tourism Committee chairman Datuk Nolee Ashilin Mohamed Radzi said 9,888 tourists entered the island during the week.
Previously there was an increase in incoming tourists since tourism activities were allowed, from 6,430 to 12,879 visitors in September.
"We received 9,888 tourists entering the island and 78 per cent bookings for stays at Pulau Pangkor with 25 of the 47 registered premises which began operating.
"This is a positive sign for tourism in Pulau Pangkor to be revived and for other economy players," she said after observing standard operating procedure (SOPs) compliance at Lumut Jetty here today.
Also present were Pangkor assemblyman Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir, Manjung district officer Shamsul Ridzuan Idris and Manjung Municipal Council President Syamsul Hazeman Md Salleh.
Nolee Ashilin said tourists entering Pulau Pangkor will continue to increase in weeks to come as the interstate travel ban was only lifted on Monday and people prioritise going back to their hometowns.
She said many facilities were provided such as recreational activities until 12pm while travellers may purchase duty free items after being there for 24 instead of 48 hours.
"We will also look at adding more ferries as per demand but will also consider the operators preparedness on the island," she said.
She said the occupancy rate at other locations in Perak also improved up until yesterday.
"Data from the Malaysia Hotel Association in Perak showed occupancy in Ipoh was at 50 per cent while statistics from the Taiping Municipal Council recorded 56 per cent.