Following the recent announcement by Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, domestic tourism travel between states placed under the Recovery Movement Control Order (RMCO) is now allowed starting from 10th March 2021 with conditions.
States and federal territories in Malaysia that are placed under CMCO and RMCO
~Updated on 18 March 2021
RMCO (19-31 March 2021) | CMCO (19-31 March 2021) |
Kedah | Selangor |
Perak | WP Kuala Lumpur |
Negeri Sembilan | Johor |
Perlis | Penang |
Melaka | Kelantan |
Pahang | Sarawak |
Terengganu | |
Sabah | |
Putrajaya | |
WP Labuan |
Malaysia's travel agencies are badly affected due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Unlike other sectors, this sector received some of the biggest impacts and hardly recover from it in the past year. Before this, they sold ski and safari tours and travel packages to popular destinations like Japan, Korea, and Turki. Now, they are selling fruits and other consumer products online to stay afloat. While some travel agents are still actively promoting their packages like Mayflower who are launching their ‘makan angin’ packages here.
Now with the recent announcement, many travel agencies are looking for opportunities to bring back their businesses.
PEMERKASA programme is launched to help the tourism industry. According to the latest announcement, Travel Agencies will receive an RM3,000 one-off and tax exemption and electricity bill discount. All this information can be found on Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry (MOTAC) website and they will also explain how to explain it. However, up until now (18 Mac 2021) there is no update on how we can apply for the PEMERKASA programme, but I believe it will be updated from time to time.
Unlike Travel Agents, many Hoteliers voice their dissatisfaction and think this is ridiculous. They have the thought that most travelers will prefer to use their own transport as it will give them freedom and they will feel safer. Plus, they will be able to choose which hotel they want to stay. Unlike travel with a travel agency, they can't choose the hotel.
But, the decision has been made by the government. For now, we have to follow the rules and regulations that have been stated. Why not see this from the bright side and prepare something that can bring the travelers to stay at your hotel?
There’s a lot of things a hotelier can do to turn around the situation. Or at least enough to stay afloat and survive. Other than government help with a moratorium, SME Grant, extension waiver, electricity bill discount, and tax deduction, The Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture of Malaysia (MOTAC) also played their role by providing some solutions that can help hoteliers. Below are some of the ways hoteliers can benefit from these.
Certification programmes for sanitizing and disinfecting by The Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH) supported by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture of Malaysia (MOTAC) are supposed to increase tourist confidence to stay in your hotel. It will be a benchmark of hygiene and safety standards for the hotel industry of Malaysia. The registration process is easy and you can do it online.
Where to register?At the current moment, only travel agents have permission for interstate travel. This might be your chance to approach a travel agent and work together with them by offering attractive hotel packages that cater to their package for tourists. Find more lists of Travel Operating Business and Travel (TOBTAB) and start approaching them.