GEORGE TOWN: It has been almost two months since the Malaysian borders were opened, but outbound tour packages are only trickling in.

       While individual outbound travel has picked up, travel agencies are not getting bookings for holiday tours just yet.

       Cekay Lee, 36, owner of Capri Travel & Tours Sdn Bhd, said his agency had received only about 50 bookings, a far cry from about 300 a month during pre-pandemic times.

       “There have been a lot of enquiries since the borders repened, but there aren’t many people booking group tours because they are still cautious about travelling.

       “Currently, we have a lot of inbound travel packages which have received good response from foreign tourists coming in and locals travelling extensively within the country,” Lee said.

       Joanna Ching, 53, of Go Explore Holidays Sdn Bhd, said there are still many issues on outbound travel, especially the standard operating procedures that could change within a short period of time.

       “We can’t accept bookings and issue an itinerary for a particular tour package which changes within a week before travel, creating further hassle for us and the travellers.

       “While we have enquiries for outbound travel, we are cautious of accepting bookings unless we are sure we can manage it well,” she said.

       Ching said people are still wary about travelling overseas for now and would rather explore local destinations since it is safer.

       “For now, inbound tourists are our focus and demand for outbound tour packages will probably pick up next year when the situation is more stable,” she added.

       Golden Ace Travel and Tours managing director Melvin Goh, 42, said business and individual travellers are the only ones travelling overseas for now.

       “The situation is still fluid, especially those travelling to China, a favourite destination for many before the pandemic.

       “With China’s current zero-Covid policy, no one would want to be caught in a scenario where the SOP suddenly changes if there are positive cases,” Goh noted.

       But individual travellers are already making plans to travel overseas this year. India, Thailand and New Zealand are high on the list.Businessman R. Sathiaseelan, 65, who has made 50 trips to India (except in 2020 and 2021), is looking forward to travelling there with his wife in August.

       “I can’t wait as India is like my second home. I was disappointed that I was not able to go there for the last two years.

       “My children studied there and I used to visit the temples as well as my relatives in Tamil Nadu. This time, I will be meeting them for the first time in over two years,” Sathiaseelan said.

       Executive Arafat Esah, 33, will be going back to New Zealand, which he visited in 2015 for a holiday, something he used to do two to three times a year before the pandemic.

       “I went on a Europe tour and to Bali in 2018 and 2019. I am looking forward to visiting New Zealand, probably late this year with a group of friends.

       “I will take my mother to Europe next year and probably visit a few other destinations,” Arafat said.

       Events planning company owner Kimson Kam, 40, is looking forward to travelling again this year to Asian countries, especially Thailand and the Phillippines.

       “I am travelling to many local destinations now and will probably start outbound travel in the last quarter to Thailand first before seeing other parts of Asia,” he said.