AS the COVID-19 pandemic evolves with time and borders start to open, there are needs to have new tourism strategies in order to create travel demand taking into consideration government safety and health protocols, the fragile situation, social distancing and other uncertainties.
Putting greater focus on health and safety in travel demands could be significant to all stakeholders as it can be an opportunity for reflection and reinvention towards a better and more sustainable tourism future.
The Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA), the national umbrella representative body for the entire travel industry in Malaysia, and Bureau Veritas, a world leader in testing, inspection and certification, have signed an agreement to deploy the “Travel Safe Malaysia” Hygiene Excellence and Safety Label which is designed to support the operational restart activities of the travel and tour industry.
This programme is supported by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts & Culture and will be offered to all MATTA members across Malaysia through field audits to ensure that appropriate health, safety and hygiene procedures and processes are in place and in line with globally recognised best practices and recommendations related to preventive measures for a safer business restart after the COVID-19 lockdown period.
“The positioning of Malaysia as a safe country will encourage future travellers to choose Malaysia once travelling resumes with borders being open to international visitors,” MATTA president Datuk Tan Kok Liang pointed out.
As Malaysia is an established international tourist destination, it will bring comfort to travellers from around the world that Malaysia’s tourism industry is fully prepared and has taken hygiene and safety as the highest priority in their operations
“This will surely benefit local tourists as well as they will know that their service providers are certified and follow the highest hygiene and safety standards in relation to the on-going COVID-19 pandemic,” added Bureau Veritas Malaysia chief executive (CIF Southeast Asia Operating Region) Datuk Mohd Nizam Abdul Malik. – Dec 18, 2020
