The Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH) Kedah & Perlis Chapter called for a safe travel bubble to reopen domestic tourism to Langkawi.
They issued a press statement following their annual general meeting held at the Adya Hotel in Langkawi recently.
Their meeting was held adhering to SOPs where hoteliers discussed survival strategies as well as creating travel bubbles to Langkawi in efforts to restart domestic tourism safely.
Based on current SOPs, a domestic traveller by flight would have been screened and tracked from the journey to the airport to a series of stringent control mechanism set by airport management as well airlines.
With confirmed accommodation booking at licensed hotels, the traveller is then subjected to various SOPs at the hotels well within safety and hygiene guidelines including physical distancing and other limitations.
Having studied the safe travel flow, MAH is confident that such travel bubble by flight can be established to allow leisure travel between green zones without the concern of deviations from planned travel routes.
Accommodation & flight confirmation will serve as documentation proof.
“We hope that the Government can consider allowing domestic green travel bubble by flight and possibly with Langkawi as pilot test while awaiting full reopening of interstate travel. Hotels in Langkawi are ready with its safety and hygiene protocols,” said Eugene Dass, Chairman of MAH Kedah & Perlis.
Langkawi had always been a popular destination for both domestic and international tourists, and the island had proven itself to be a safe destination when domestic tourism was allowed back in June 2020 as well as in December 2020.
Green travel bubble by flight would also benefit airlines, retail particularly duty free, restaurants and even local car rentals on the island.
“We need to reopen, the industry cannot be perpetually waiting and sustaining losses continuously. The green travel bubble solution by flight is safe, controlled and easily monitored,” Eugene added.
MAH Kedah / Perlis is a 52-member strong organization.
