International tourists could return to Langkawi by December, says minister
Published on: Friday, October 22, 2021
By: FMT
KUCHING: The tourism ministry is hoping to welcome back tourists from selected countries from next month, with Langkawi to serve as a test case.
At the Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau’s “Meet In Malaysia @ Sarawak” event, tourism, arts and culture minister Nancy Shukri said Langkawi would be the best place to begin, seeing as it also served as the pilot for the resumption of domestic tourism last month.
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“Hopefully, this will happen in December, if not earlier. We have been asked to provide a list of countries to open to first,” she announced.
If successful, further agreements would be struck with other countries to promote travel between them and Malaysia.
Nancy said she was keenly aware of the struggles of tourism players, many of whom had expressed their desire to see international tourists return.
“We understand, we hear you, that is why we are going all out for you,” she said during her engagement session with members of Sarawak’s tourism industry.
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In September, Langkawi became the first “green bubble” for domestic tourism, with Malaysians allowed to travel directly to the island despite state borders being closed at the time.
Earlier this month, interstate and international travel resumed for fully vaccinated Malaysians, with those travelling abroad subject to quarantine upon their return.
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