MPN recommends govt to enhance initiatives to boost tourism

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 11 (Bernama) — The National Recovery Council (MPN) has recommended that the government enhance initiatives to boost tourism and improve national infrastructure, so that the industry does not fall behind in the wave of recovery in the Southeast Asian region.

 

Its chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the proposal was made after examining the four-year period projected by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) for the implementation of the Tourism Recovery Plan 2.0.

 

“The council views seriously the increase in the cost of living faced by Malaysians, and although the inflation rate in Malaysia is one of the lowest in Southeast Asia, the impact of inflation is still felt by all walks of life, and has the potential to hinder the post-pandemic economic recovery process.

 

 

 

“Therefore, the government is urged to devote its full efforts in ensuring that the benefits of economic growth can be felt by all Malaysians, who are struggling with the increasing cost of living,” he said in a statement today.

 

The Tourism Recovery Plan 2.0 is an initiative of the government, through MOTAC, in an effort to boost the country’s domestic tourism sector in line with the transition to endemic phase.

 

Muhyiddin had previously proposed that the government reopen the country’s borders, and this occurred on April 1. However, the tourism industry was facing a labour shortage and could not cope with the influx of foreign tourists.

 

 

 

At the same time, he also proposed that the application process for foreign workers, especially in critical sectors such as plantations, tourism and manufacturing, be expedited and simplified, while initiatives and assistance be drawn up immediately to revive the country’s tourism sector.

 

The government at that time had provided assistance, including the Prihatin Special Grant and the Wage Subsidy Programme (PSU), which received positive feedback from hotel operators in Sabah.

 

Yusal Fitriya Yusup, manager of Kingston Hotel, Tawau, described the government’s move at that time as proving its concern for the plight of the people, especially traders who were severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

“The assistance channelled has helped pay our workers’ salaries and enable us to cover our daily expenses,” she said when met by Bernama recently.

 

Elopura Hotel board of directors member, Awang Japar, said that the assistance provided by the government at that time gave a new lease of life to traders whose businesses suffered due to COVID-19.

 

 

Source: BERNAMA News Agency