MCO: Tourism players operate in 'fragile and uncertain' environment

Petaling Street, a popular tourist spot, was mostly deserted during the MCO last year. - LOW BOON TAT

Tourism players in the country need to cope with operating in a very fragile and uncertain environment, in light of another phase of the movement control order.

Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (Matta) president Datuk Tan Kok Liang said this is a new reality that the local tourism industry has to grapple with.

"This uncertain business environment is a new reality for tourism players," he told The Star.

Tan added that tourism workers should consider looking for jobs in other industries to make ends meet too.

"Tourism staff should also go for re-skilling training to better themselves during this time," he said.

According to Tan, local travel players have anticipated a recovery in the domestic tourism sector this year.

"With this announcement of another MCO, I anticipate the leisure travel sector to be the worst hit. The situation is really very fragile and uncertain," he said.

Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin in a special televised address to the nation said the MCO will be implemented in six states namely Penang, Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, Labuan in the Federal Territories, Melaka, Johor and Sabah.

The MCO will be enforced for 14 days until Jan 26.

Conditional MCO will be enforced in Pahang, Perak, Negri Sembilan, Kedah, Terengganu and Kelantan.

The recovery MCO will be implemented in Perlis and Sarawak.

During this period, interstate travel is not allowed throughout the country.