The recovery phase of the tourism sector, following the present pandemic situation, is expected to proceed slowly, posing a challenge for all parties involved in the nation’s tourism industry.
On the matter, the state government is aware of the situation faced by tourism industry operators, especially several obstacles involving financial factors.
Executive Councillor for Housing, Local Government and Tourism, Dato’ Nolee Ashilin binti Dato’ Mohammed Radzi said the National Recovery Plan is an initiative by the government to ensure that the social and economic sectors can recover in stages via specific strategies.
“The opening of borders for interstate travel can at least provide some relief for tourism operators. Thus, at the moment, the focus is fully on domestic tourism.
“Realising this, the state government has channelled aid and incentives via the Economic Stimulus Package (PRE),” she said when answering the question by Dr. Ko Chun Seng (DAP – Kepayang) at the state assembly sitting today.
She explained that the one-off financial aid was provided for licenced tourist guides operating in Perak (RM700); registered travel and tour agencies (RM2,000), tourism-related associations/NGOs (RM10,000), operators of budget hotels and hotels (RM2,000).
Also aided were registered operators of hotels and resorts in Pangkor Island with the related associations, tourism boat drivers (in Teluk Intan, Kuala Sepetang, Taiping, Pulau Pangkor, Temenggor and others) of RM400, homestay operators (RM2,000) and 35 Umrah companies under Persatuan Umrah Haji dan Ziarah (PUHAZ) Perak (RM2,000).
“Such assistance is able to reduce the burden of industry players impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak,” she stated.
The state government via Tourism Perak has also planned several programmes till the end of the year such as the Pangkor Sea Challenge and new year eve celebration.
According to Nolee, Tourism Perak has accepted about 100 event organisations from various parties to be carried out in 2022, and they are to be listed in the state events calendar of 2022 to attract tourists to the state.
“This events calendar will be updated from time to time. Among the featured events are the Songkran Festival scheduled for 11 to 13 April 2022, Lumut Pangkor Sea Festival (19 to 23 October 2022) and Lumut International Boat Show (11 to 12 December 2022),” she mentioned.
Rosli Mansor
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