After Langkawi, govt eyeing Genting, Tioman and Melaka for tourism bubble plan

Putrajaya is considering making Genting Highlands, Melaka and Tioman the next travel bubble destinations after the pilot project in Langkawi as efforts continue to restore the tourism sector which was heavily hit by the Covid-19 crisis.

Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Nancy Shukri said her ministry would table a proposal to the prime minister at the meeting of the Special Committee on Tackling Covid-19 tomorrow.

Speaking at a press conference after the Covid-19 Ministerial Quartet meeting at the Parliament building, she said SOPs for travel to these locations would be carefully studied, especially for Melaka which has a wide area of coverage.

She said industry players in these places have been told to be ready to receive visitors.

“We have been given two weeks for these new destinations to make preparations before resuming business operations on Oct 1.

“However, this decision is not exclusive and we will gradually propose more tourist destinations to be opened,” she said.

She referred to the pilot project in Langkawi which she said was a good example as no Covid-19 cases have been recorded from among the tourists there.

“The decision to make it compulsory for travellers to undergo screening for Covid-19 before departure has shown a positive outcome,” she said.

She added that 6,622 tourists had arrived by plane and another 3,483 by ferry.