PETALING JAYA: A standardised price for the Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) test will let tourists factor the cost into their budgets prior to travelling, tourism industry players noted.
With Malaysia to reopen its borders on April 1, they also called for hassle-free travel procedures for tourists.
“Tourists want to know how much they have to spend to visit Malaysia, including (the cost) of the RT-PCR test and insurance coverage. These are common questions.
“Standardise the price so nobody can take advantage of the pricing,” said Malaysian Tourism Council president Uzaidi Udanis, adding that RM159 for the gold standard RT-PCR test would be ideal.
He noted that the RTK-Antigen test price had already been lowered and self-test kits are also now available, though it would be tough for the government to regulate the open market for the Covid-19 test.
Citing the Langkawi travel bubble as an example, Uzaidi said the multiple testing requirement is a hassle for tourists.
Uzaidi, who is also Malaysian Inbound Tourism Association president, suggested that doing one test before arrival and another during the stay would be more practical.
On the business front, he said the announcement would help market Malaysia internationally and enable the tourism industry to recover and contribute to the economy.
Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents president Datuk Tan Kok Liang also said the tourism industry could be rebuilt to further contribute to Malaysia’s economic recovery.
Tan, in a statement, noted that the closure of international borders and travel restrictions resulted in a loss of RM90bil in tourism receipts in 2020. The losses widened to RM165bil in 2021.
“With a firm date, the industry can now begin marketing and promotional activities, and recall tourism workers to work in stages. The multiplier effect of tourist spending will invariably boost local economies and many subsectors of the tourism industry,” he said.