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Tour Operators Target China and Europe Destinations To Make Up For Missing Business

Tour Operators Target China and Europe Destinations To Make Up For Missing Business

Travel industry hails plan to lift outbound holiday travel for Malaysians.

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Tour operators are looking to sell China and European packages when Malaysians can travel, possibly by December, as recently announced by Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

As with the rest of the world, Malaysia’s tourism economy had been hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic, which restricted travel.

Already, tour operators had been seeing a spike of enquiries from holidaymakers.

Penang tour operator Irene Seng said the nation’s outbound tourism industry expects Malaysians to resume travel in large numbers once they are allowed to do so.

“China is a top choice due to its success in containing the Covid-19 outbreak, while European countries such as Switzerland have always been a significant outbound tourism market.

“Japan and Korea are also popular destinations, but the countries’ borders remain closed to international tourists,” she said.

Why Are Tour Packages More Expensive Right Now?

A plane takes off from the KLIA. (Fernando Fong)

Despite tour packages being more expensive than pre-pandemic times, that should not prevent a spark in holidaying.   

It will be pricier because air tickets, which make up almost half the cost of tour packages, are more expensive.

“Due to the current coronavirus situation, there are expectations of rising travel demand which pushed up prices.

“But Malaysian travellers still have a lot of spending power and a lot of potentials,” she told The Rakyat Post in an interview.

Is It Time For The Next Family Vacation Again?

It is still especially risky for families with children to holiday abroad. (Fernando Fong)

Families with unvaccinated children would be less inclined to travel abroad anytime soon.

Kingston Khoo, Director of Marketing for Mutiara Taman Negara, said it is likely that only singles, married couples without kids and senior citizens will be itching to get overseas.

“We live in an age where the vaccine isn’t an option, and most children are not vaccinated yet.

“No parents in their right mind would take the risk, not when COVID-19 hospitalizations continue to rise among the unvaccinated,” said Khoo.

Families who plan to travel anyway are advised to assess the level of risk, including the destination and type of vacation.

Avoid More Flip Flops & U-turns On Travel Decision

A passenger walks on the tarmac at KLIA2. (Fernando Fong)

Khoo also calls for better clarity and detailed information on how a return to travel will work.

He said the travel industry is cautiously optimistic, particularly given the situation is still evolving.

“We are not rejoicing yet, as people are scared to travel because of hygiene concerns.

“Furthermore, lockdown guidance and quarantine standard operation procedures (SOPs) could change anytime,” said Khoo, who had been in the hospitality industry for 17 years.

Citing an example, he said Taman Negara was supposed to reopen by 1 October.

However, it had been postponed indefinitely pending higher vaccination rates.


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