PETALING JAYA: With the imminent reopening of state borders anytime, players in the tourism industry are preparing for the sector to restart.

       The sector has been the hardest hit with the closing of international borders due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

       Malaysian Inbound Tourism Association president Uzaidi Udanis said they were compiling different tourism packages.

       “We have met a few hoteliers and operators, and are fine-tuning prices. We need to stimulate demand that’s sustainable,” he said.

       Uzaidi said they did not want to take any chances and were designing attractive packages for domestic tourists.

       Currently, there is a travel bubble project involving Langkawi, which kickstarted on Sep 16.

       Tourism players said there was a need for other destinations to be open as well.

       Recently, National Recovery Council chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said interstate travel would be allowed in early October or the middle of the month at the latest.

       “We are looking forward to this, especially with the peak season and school holidays in December.

       “We are hoping to bank in on this to reduce losses but we will have to maintain our prices,” he said.

       Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH) CEO Yap Lip Seng said inter-district travel did not contribute much to tourism and hotels as the industry needed interstate travellers.

       He said most hotels are ready with the standard operating procedure and added measures, as well as additional promotions to encourage early bookings and purchases.

       “By now, the industry and public are well aware of the changes, depending on the situation. We are confident the government will make the best decisions for the industry to restart in stages,” he added.

       Malaysian Association of Theme Parks and Family Attractions president Tan Sri Richard Koh said after four months of closure, they were hoping to get restarted soon.

       They have about 100 members, including operators of outdoor and indoor theme parks, waterparks, aquariums, amusement parks and family entertainment centres.

       He said operators in Phase Three states had been allowed to operate but some were still arranging to get their workers back.

       “Hopefully, interstate travel will be allowed soon,” he added.

       Swiss Garden Beach Resort Kuantan director of sales and marketing Linda Evelyn Wong said the resort is all geared up to welcome guests once the interstate travel ban is lifted.

       “We look forward to an increased number of guests for the coming Christmas and New Year celebrations,” she said.

       Apple Vacations group managing director Datuk Seri Koh Yock Heng said the reopening of state borders would help to kickstart the local tourism sector again ahead of the year-end holidays.

       “I am sure many people are yearning for a short break after being cooped up in their home state for some time,” he said.