ALTHOUGH the National Recovery Plan (NRP) had been rolled out by the Federal Government on June 15, the tourism stakeholders in Penang still need much convincing that such plan will work.
Still reeling from the Covid-19 pandemic, most of the hoteliers and tourism operators have reservations that the NRP would be able to take the country out of the health and economic crisis brought about by the coronavirus.
The tourism industry has virtually ground to a halt since March last year following the ban on international and interstate travel.
Will their nightmares continue or will the NRP help lift them out of the gloom?
Buletin Mutiara spoke to some of the tourism stakeholders. Below are their views.
Association of Tourist Attractions Penang (ATAP) chairman Ch’ng Huck Theng
“The Federal Government’s plan is just a ‘big picture’ with phases of easing the restrictions but without much detail of planning, expectations and execution, especially when it comes to tourism.
“All initiatives should be incorporated into a master plan to assist the tourism industry.
“The Government should do it in a specific manner before allowing the tourism players to prepare their workforce capacity, marketing strategy, and collaborations with other industry partners and associates.
“For instance, the Government needs to give vaccination priority to the tourism players.
“As Penang is one of the attractive spots, I hope the Government can consider to gradually open up the state’s tourism sector with strict adherence to the standard operating procedures (SOPs) to boost the tourism.”
Malaysian Chinese Tourism Association (MCTA) Penang Chapter chairman Andy Chuah
“It is good that the Federal Government has come out with NRP, which provides a clarity for our exit plan amid the ongoing pandemic.
“However, the authorities should be listening to the feedback from the tourism players.
“I would suggest to the Government to partially open some of the tourism spots while accelerating the vaccination programme.
“It’s important to instil the confidence of tourism players and regain the shine as a tourist destination soon.”
MAH Penang chapter chairman Raj Kumar
“Basically, the Government’s effort in mapping out the whole NRP is welcomed by the hoteliers, but the plan lacks details and execution, especially for tourism industry.
“With the ramping up of vaccination effort, I feel the Government can gradually allow two persons from each household to visit the tourist spots to stimulate the tourism economy.
“Once everything settles in, we can slowly provide green light for a family to go for a domestic travel.
“This is important to revive the tourism sector to its heyday.
“We can’t afford to let all the hotels to remain close while sustaining losses till year end.
“I really plead with the Federal Government to listen to us as the hotel industry is staring at a bleak future.”
The Habitat managing director Allen Tan
“From my point view, the NRP needs to be improved in order to assist the tourism industry.
“The real challenges facing us in tourism sector are not addressed. We need a real exit strategy and a blanket moratorium to help out tourism players.
“Besides that, we need to prioritise the immunisation effort involving tourism frontliners. This is an important step to ensure that we can swiftly return to normalcy.”
Story by Edmund Lee
Pix by Chan Kok Kuan and courtesy of interviewees