Reopening borders: Malaysia needs international tourists to boost economy

Malaysia’s tourism sector, which relies heavily on international visitors, contributed RM80bil annually in revenue before the pandemic. — AZMAN GHANI/The Star

The idea of Malaysia fully opening its borders is bittersweet for Kee Lee Li. It has been almost two years since the country restricted international tourist arrivals to combat Covid-19.

Since then, Kee, 30, has left her old job at a travel agency specialising in inbound tours for a new career in a different field.