PETALING JAYA: The appointment of ministers with experience in the new Cabinet augurs well for the tourism industry, says Malaysia Tourism Council (MTC) president Uzaidi Udanis.

       "What is important is continuity and stability and we see that in the appointments.

       "It takes time for someone new to learn about the industry, and retaining Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri as Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister is a good move.

       "She has been working with the industry for almost two years," he said when contacted on Friday (Aug 27).

       Uzaidi added that a minister who is new to the field will take some time to understand the industry well.

       "The minister who is retained, cannot now say that it is a learning curve," he said.

       The Batang Sadong MP was appointed to oversee the tourism portfolio under the Perikatan Nasional administration in March last year.

       Uzaidi, who also heads the Malaysian Inbound Tourism Association (Mita), said that there were appointments of several experienced ministers who had roles in developing the industry.

       He cited the appointment of Khairy Jamaluddin as Health Minister as an example where the latter's experience in vaccines is helpful.

       "He (Khairy) has been dealing with vaccines since the beginning.

       "The knowledge of the vaccines will help him as Health Minister," said Uzaidi, who noted that the Health Ministry will likely be involved with travel issues such as the opening of borders and vaccine certification for tourism purposes.

       The Rembau MP was appointed Science, Technology and Innovation Minister under the Perikatan administration, as well as the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme Coordinating Minister to oversee the vaccination programme under Perikatan.

       Meanwhile, Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH) chief executive officer Yap Lip Seng said there must be continuity in the development of the industry.

       "The industry needs assurance of a blueprint and plan. The new cabinet should work towards recovery of the economy more than ever," he said when contacted.

       Yap added that this is especially so as the nation gradually reopens to domestic tourism as well as foreign visitors.