GEORGE TOWN: Industry leaders are expecting business to hit “high notes” quickly once people are allowed to travel freely between states again.
“The reopening of state borders will give a major boost to tourism and the supply chain due to all the pent-up demand for travel and retail,” said Malaysian International Chambers of Commerce and Industry executive director Shaun Cheah.
He said interstate travel would exponentially increase economic activities in most states.
“Tourism, especially, will have the ‘trickle-down effect’, like what is now being seen in Langkawi with people arriving in droves and driving up business for traders and transportation by 50% to 60%,” he said.
Cheah said he is also looking forward to the government’s announcement of a simplified 10-item standard operating procedure (SOP) for everyone to follow.
Small and Medium Enterprises Association Malaysia secretary-general Yeoh Seng Hooi said he expected the food and beverage sector to see a major boost as soon as interstate travel restrictions were lifted.
He said the snowball effect from interstate travel would be immense with every sector expected to see the positive impact of an economic revival.
Federation of Malaysian Manu-facturers Penang chairman Datuk Jimmy Ong said Malaysians could begin treating Covid-19 as an endemic disease once the 90% of the adult population is vaccinated.
“But this means that the compliance with the necessary precautions needs to be enhanced and tightened, especially in malls and public areas,” he added.
Malaysian Association of Hotels chief executive officer Yap Lip Seng said all hotels are geared for a full reopening with a level of hygiene that will be higher than ever.
“Domestic tourism is expected to be the lifeline for our industry for now while awaiting the return of international tourists.
“Without interstate travel, hotels are limited to only short staycations of guests from within their own states, as well as minimal food and beverage business,” he added.