LETTERS: Many people are wondering when they can travel abroad and what the future of the tourism sector will look like.
Despite fears that holidays were off the cards for 2020, Malaysia has been working hard to ensure the industry survives these hard times.
The Covid-19 pandemic hit international and domestic travel and led to the cancellation of Visit Malaysia 2020.
Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri has every confidence the government can ensure business continuity.
Malaysia registered 4.25 million tourist arrivals in the first half of this year, a drop of 68.2 per cent from the same period last year.
The tourist expenditure recorded RM12.5 billion for the first six months of this year, a 69.8 per cent drop from RM41.6 billion.
The ministry said the tourism and culture industries lost about RM45 billion this year.
The tourism industry will need to adapt and introduce new initiatives for domestic travellers.
The hospitality industry needs to introduce new measures to attract tourists while taking their safety into consideration.
Hoteliers in the Klang Valley and other cities are offering work-from-hotel packages, while restaurants are offering a wide array of food on their premises or for delivery.
Travel agencies have come out with digital tourism or virtual tour packages using augmented reality. These initiatives require a lot of creativity from operators but will pay off in the short and long terms.
The tourism industry can thrive by offering practical options for holidaying.
Travellers should adhere to social distancing guidelines and other measures in holiday destinations to prevent the spread of the virus.
AKMAL ADANAN, OSWALD TIMOTHY EDWARD
Senior lecturers, Universiti Teknologi Mara
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times