KOTA KINABALU: Sabah tourism industry captains and authority held a meeting today to identify potential challenges ahead of the reopening of international borders beginning April 1.
The meeting which was chaired by state Assistant Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Joniston Bangkuai was also attended by enforcement agencies to assess the level of preparedness.
Among the concerns raised were the shortcomings at Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA) including congestion, inadequate immigration checkpoints and designated quarantine centre for Covid-19 positive travellers, among others.
The tourism players also suggested for the state government to establish a consistent standard operating procedures (SOP) to facilitate tourist entry into the state.
They pointed out having a different SOP from the federal would create confusion and complications for tourists.
Joniston, who also chairs Sabah Tourism Board (STB), said the engagement was critical in gathering feedback from stakeholders so that adequate preparations could be done before April 1.
"A practical guideline is needed as we prepare for the opening of the national borders so that we can better serve tourists and avoid burdening them with obstacles they may encounter upon arrival in the state.
"The KKIA is the most important entry point into Sabah. It is critical that all stakeholders express their concerns and opinions so that we can find early solutions to problems that are likely to arise," he said.
All suggestions will be forwarded by the ministry to the Covid-19 Command Centre for further deliberation, which would then be highlighted to the National Security Council.
Also in attendance were Sabah's tourism ministry permanent secretary Datuk Mohd Yusrie Abdullah, deputy permanent secretary II Mary Malangking, STB chief executive officer Noredah Othman, chief financial officer Julinus Jeffery Jimit, chief marketing officer Tay Shu Lan, and KKIA customs as well as immigration representatives.
The tourism players included Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) president Datuk Tan Kok Liang, Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH) Sabah/Sabah Chapter chairman Hafizan Wong and Sabah Association of Tour and Travel Agents (SATTA) chairman Datuk Seri Winston Liaw, Malaysia Budget Hotel Association (MyBHA) Sabah Chapter chairman James Ong, Sabah Tourists Association (STA) chairman Tonny Chew, and Sabah Tourist Guides Association (STGA) president Grace Leong, among others.