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KUALA LUMPUR: As the year 2020 draws to a close, Malaysian tourism players look forward to the implementation of the strategies outlined in the 2020-2030 National Tourism Policy (DPN), which they hope will drive the industry forward.
They are optimistic of a steady, albeit slow, recovery in tourism activities, which contributed RM240.2 billion, or 15.9 percent, to Malaysia’s gross domestic product in 2019, through the implementation of the strategies, although the Covid-19 pandemic has not yet occurred. show any sign of decline.
In 2019, foreign tourist receipts grew by 2.4 percent to RM 86.1 billion from 26.1 million tourist arrivals. This year, however, Covid-19 has dealt a severe blow to the tourism industry which suffered losses estimated at more than RM100 billion.
With the international borders of most countries, including Malaysia, still closed, the United Nations World Tourism Organization has projected that it will take at least two to four years for the global tourism sector to fully recover. .
On December 23, Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin launched DPN 2020-2030 to revive and rejuvenate the tourism industry by strengthening competitiveness and developing a sustainable and inclusive tourism sector that is prepared for future disasters and is resilient. to them.
The policy will be implemented through six strategic axes, including the creation of special investment zones for tourism projects in order to boost public-private cooperation and attract more local and international investors.
Generate higher income
Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC) Executive Director Sherene Azli said the council is confident that DPN 2020-2030 will help revitalize the nation’s tourism industry in a dynamic and strategic way.
“We are confident that Malaysia will continue to be a leading destination for tourists globally in line with MHTC’s efforts to enhance Malaysia’s image as a global health wonder and achieve its projected at least RM1 billion in tourism revenue. healthcare in 2022, “he said. Bernama.
MHTC will also collaborate with the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) to ensure Malaysia continues to be a destination of choice for healthcare tourists whose safety and well-being are ensured through the implementation of strict standard operating procedures.
Commenting on the government’s proposal to create investment zones for tourism projects, Sherene said that projects that incorporate elements of health tourism are expected to generate progressively higher revenues for the nation.
“A healthcare destination that covers all aspects of healthcare and well-being is considered part of a comprehensive ecotourism initiative. This includes care services for the elderly for the segment of the aging population that has not yet been widely used and is suitable for short to long-term stays, with medical services and facilities, ”he said.
Three initiatives
Noting that MHTC is always ready to diversify its efforts to stimulate the growth of the health tourism sector during this phase of Covid-19, Sherene said that it has been having conversations with the government, industry leaders from the public sectors and private and MHTC member hospitals. plan strategies to face current challenges.
One strategy they have identified is to improve the use of digital services to improve health service delivery.
“The potential of the digital platform should be maximized through close collaboration with MHTC member hospitals to implement services such as telehealth to facilitate doctor-patient communication and continuity of care,” he added.
On MHTC’s plans for the next five years, Sherene said they will implement a series of three initiatives, the first of which encompasses raising Malaysia’s profile as a global healthcare wonder while building a strong platform to launch the campaign. Malaysia Year of health care travel at the appropriate time. time.
“Our second initiative is to strengthen Malaysia’s position as the fertility and cardiology centers of Asia and as a center of excellence for oncology,” he said, adding that the third initiative is to prepare selected hospitals under the Flagship Medical Tourism program. Hospital to become international. milestones for the provision of world-class health services.
Create new strategies
Meanwhile, the President of the Malaysian Tourism and Travel Agents Association (MATTA), Datuk Tan Kok Liang, said there is a need to create new strategies to generate demand for tourism and travel products taking into consideration factors such as protocols. health and safety measures implemented by the government. , physical distancing, the increasingly fragile general situation due to the pandemic and uncertainty about the reopening of international borders in the near future.
“Our expectations for the coming years also cover initiatives to promote and rename various tourist destinations, as well as promote digitization, product and infrastructure development, health and safety assurance, vacation packages and incentives for travel plans. nationals and foreigners who were postponed “. he said.
On the push towards digitization under DPN 2020-2030, Tan hoped the government would also consider the role of local stakeholders when seriously looking at the development of locally established online travel assets.
“For the domestic tourism sector, we have the ability to host online platforms and we hope that the government will encourage the use of local platforms (for booking vacation and travel packages), rather than relying on foreign platforms,” he said.
He said that MATTA has also unveiled its fair online by offering more than 1,000 vacation and tourism packages to meet the needs of Malaysian travelers looking for attractive and unique vacation options.
Tan also hoped that after Malaysia reopened its international borders, the allocations foreseen in the 2021 budget would be used for important components of the tourism industry.
“This includes improving the quality of air connectivity, promoting Malaysia as a safe destination, and providing incentives to foreign investors to help promote Malaysia,” he added.
Promote cultural towns
Meanwhile, Malaysia Tourism Council Chairman Uzaidi Udanis wants to see closer collaboration between tourism industry players and cultural village product operators across the country in an effort to enhance the credibility of the tourism products, as well as strengthening the national tourism sector.
“This collaboration will allow operators of products from cultural villages to develop interesting programs to attract tourists. It makes no sense to beautify the corridors and stages within the cultural village when there are no programs offered to attract the attention of tourists, ”he said.
He said that the allocation of 20 million ringgit in the 2021 Budget to improve infrastructure and step up promotions of village cultural products, particularly those located in Terengganu, Sarawak and Negeri Sembilan, is a good and comprehensive measure by the government.
Uzaidi said that, however, he regrets that industry players are not yet interested in promoting Malaysia’s cultural villages.
“In Bali (Indonesia), for example, we can see that local communities are proud to promote their culture and traditions. In Malaysia, however, we are not doing much to promote our local customs and cultural activities, ”he added. – Called
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