GEORGE TOWN: Tour guides are already on standby to welcome international tourists when they return early next year.

       A group of 80 tour guides will soon check on various attractions to study how to accommodate tour groups in the new normal, said Penang Tourist Guides Association chairman Chin Poh Chin.

       “On Nov 27, we will have 80 tour guides embarking on a trial run by visiting various attractions, souvenir outlets, temples and restaurants to study how to accommodate tourists.

       “Cruise companies have contacted us, and we will be running though some new itineraries that will comply with the current situation and abide by the standard operating procedure (SOP),” she said.

       She added that all 700 tour guides in Penang, 500 of whom are active, are fully vaccinated.

       Chin said the much-awaited international tourists play an important role in the travel industry.

       “Having been jobless since the first lockdown in March last year for almost 20 over months, we are relieved to hear the country is opening its borders to international tourists next year.

       “Penang is highly dependent on the cruise market and we will start training members on Safe Travel global protocols.

       “International tourists not only have higher spending power... but also often take our services as we cover all aspects during their travel,” she said.

       Malaysian Association of Hotels Penang chapter chairman K. Raj Kumar said the return of international tourists will fill demand for rooms because hotels expect a gradual drop in domestic tourists in the months to come.

       “We have seen locals spending a lot during recent holidays with their accumulated savings. As time goes by, we expect domestic tourism to slow down and hopefully international tourists can come by then,” he added.

       However, Raj said most hotels are still facing a shortage of manpower.

       “Many hotels are facing difficulties in filling up their departments and operating fully.

       “If international tourists are to come, we hope the government will allow agencies to bring in foreign workers to support hotel operations.

       “Many hotels have not been able to open up all rooms due to staff shortages,” he added.

       As for hosting events, Raj said he hopes the government will release new guidelines to help hotels operate more cost-effectively.

       “The present rule is to allow only 50% capacity for events, but some ballrooms have lighting and air-conditioning that are designed to operate at full capacity.

       “It becomes costly for a hotel to open their ballrooms at full capacity but not get the desired number of guests.

       “Hopefully, the rules can be relaxed and help hotels save a bit,” he said.

       Last Friday, the National Recovery Council (NRC) proposed that the country’s borders be reopened to foreign visitors on Jan 1 next year to expedite the country’s economic recovery, especially the tourism sector.

       NRC chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the Special Committee on Pandemic Management chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob will identify countries with high vaccination rates against Covid-19 and permit their citizens to travel to Malaysia.

       He said the decision to open the borders was also prompted by the excellent rate of the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme, which as at yesterday has seen more than 95% of the adult population and 80% of the adolescent population fully vaccinated so far.