THE Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry (MOTAC) has taken a positive step by setting up a Tourism
Recovery Action Committee (TRAC) to monitor the coronavirus (Covid-19) situation.
Its minister Datuk Mohamaddin Ketapi said the committee would advise and explain to tourists on steps to be followed, including self-cleanliness measures recommended by the Health Ministry, to avoid infection during their stay in the country.
Tourism Malaysia director general Datuk Musa Yusof said the committee also has a role to play to take care of tourist safety and ensure all visitors are in a conducive environment and have confidence in the steps taken by the Government in overcoming the virus issue.
“Besides this, the committee also caters for the planning and drafting positive action to source new
market to replace tourism sectors, particularly from China, affected by the virus attack,” Musa said in his speech during the Tourism Recovery Action Committee Roadshow held at the Town Hall at UOB Building in George Town on Feb 15.
“MOTAC will maintain their target of attracting 30 million tourists this year even though they face the virus attack which indirectly has given a negative effect towards the presence of tourists,” he stressed.
Also present were state Tourism Development, Art, Culture and Heritage Committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin, state Health Department public health medicine specialist Dr Chow Sze Loon, Penang Health director Dr Asmayani Khalib and Tourism Malaysia deputy secretary general Mohd Zamri Mat Zain.
Yeoh said Penang has initiated some crisis recovery plans for immediate action, short-term
and long-term ones for tourism.
“The tourism sector has not taken lightly the impact of the existing Covid-19. There is a decline in
tourist numbers and hotel occupancy rate.
“For the immediate plan, we will publish posters on the government’s advice for the public to take
care of personal hygiene. We will also provide hand sanitisers, face masks and to share safety video
to check the spread of the virus,” he added.
On a related matter, he said to check the decline in tourist arrivals to the country, they have plans with airlines and hotels to develop a commercial package with attractive promotion rates to boost
domestic tourism.
Meanwhile, Dr Asmayani advised the local public to confirm with the state Health Department on any
news relating to Covid-19.
“We do not wish for any panic situation in the state and also in the country. Malaysia is still a safe place to visit,” she added.
At the roadshow, Dr Chow also shared the overview of Covid-19.
Story & pix by Danny Ooi