GEORGE TOWN: Many quick changes are needed for Penang to be ready for international tourism to restart when borders reopen on April 1, say industry players.

       With China’s Covid-19 situation facing uncertainty and its borders largely still closed, tourism players here must focus on leisure travellers from Western and Middle Eastern markets.

       While tourists from China are known to love shopping and food, travellers from the West and elsewhere seek experiences, nature and adventure, said industry players.

       Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH) national vice-president Khoo Boo Lim said before the pandemic, the focus was on tourists from China because of their spending power.“With tourists from China unable to travel due to the pandemic, we need to prepare Penang to cater for the Western and Middle Eastern markets.

       “We are used to catering to travellers from the United Kingdom and Germany but Scandinavian countries are a new market for us.

       “For Westerners, our beaches have always been the main attraction as they enjoy being in the sun.

       “Now that we have new eco-tourism options, we can revisit that market to expand it.

       “We have new places to visit which offer experiences as Western tourists prefer to spend their money on activities rather than retail,” he added.

       Khoo said Middle Eastern travellers will also feel comfortable in Penang as Malaysia is a Muslim country, and they would not have to worry about food or moving around.

       State tourism and creative economy committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin said when the borders reopen, the focus will be on travellers from Western countries.

       He said Penang will now strategise on tourism promotions to cater on tourism promotions to cater to visitors from the West and Middle East instead of the Asian market.

       Singapore will still be a focus due to the ease of connectivity, he told a recent press conference after launching the Tourism Reconnect event held at Royale Chulan Penang, in George Town.

       The Tourism Reconnect programme hosted by the Pacific Asia Travel Association saw 200 people from Malaysia and other Asian countries attend (in-person and virtually) to connect and network with local tourism players from the northern region.

       MAH chief executive officer Yap Lip Seng said while the hotels are prepared to welcome foreign travellers, they are also in the process of sorting out the standard operating procedure (SOP) with the government.

       “The hotel industry is sorting out final details before they reopen to the foreign market.

       “We had a few discussions with the government on the requirements for reopening but no official announcement has been made yet.

       “Travellers must understand the SOP and know what they can and cannot do here,” he added.

       On the manpower shortage in the hotel industry, Yap said they are still short of resources but news of the borders reopening is expected to boost people’s confidence in the industry.

       MAH Penang chapter chairman Tony Goh said while awaiting detailed SOP from the government, the hotels here are well prepared to welcome travellers.

       “What is most important to us is the safety of guests and our staff.

       “As for labour shortage, we are now aggressively promoting our recruitment drive,” he said.

       Malaysia will reopen its borders to international travellers from April 1.

       Visitors and Malaysians who have been fully vaccinated against Covid-19 will no longer have to quarantine when they arrive.

       They must, however, undergo a RT-PCR test two days before departure and a professional rapid test (RTK-Antigen) upon arrival.