The tourism sector has a role to play as a “pillar of peace and recovery” amid a volatile global situation, says United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO).
During an address at the recent Conference of Tourism Ministers of the European Union, UNWTO secretary-general Zurab Pololikashvili warned of the “triple threat” of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, the climate emergency and war in Europe.
Pololikashvili stressed that, in the face of such historic global challenges, “tourism has an active role to play in reasserting our shared values and promoting peace”.
“Just as we did during the pandemic, we are seeing the best of tourism, and this support will grow in size, scope and power over the days ahead,” he said.
Pololikashvili also highlighted the case for enhanced cooperation and solidarity.
All the delegates were urged to recognise the key role that the restart of tourism will play in promoting international solidarity and in providing hope for millions of people around the globe.
During his address, Pololikashvili also spoke about restarting tourism after the Covid-19 pandemic.
He called on the EU to provide tourism with the support it needs to make a difference, while also commending the recovery plans of many EU member states.
“Targetted help for tourism will benefit every level of the sector, most notably small and medium-sized businesses and individual workers (which represent up to 80% of the tourism sector),” he said.
A handful of countries around the world – among them Iceland, Norway, Slovenia, Britain, Hungary, Aruba, Madeira, Ireland and Mongolia – have lifted their Covid-19-related entry requirements, including testing.
Several countries have also completely lifted all Covid-19 restrictions and SOP, while places like Hong Kong – which initially took on an extreme “zero-Covid-19” approach to tackle the pandemic – have scrapped some travel curbs and eased restrictions too.
Malaysia, in the meantime, is set to reopen her borders soon, and welcome international tourists once again into the country.
Beginning April 1, travellers to Malaysia will no longer need to apply for MyTravelPass as an entry requirement. All they have to do is download the MySejahtera application and fill in the pre-departure form under the “Traveller” section.
Foreign visitors as well as returning Malaysians who have been fully vaccinated against Covid-19 will no longer have to quarantine upon arrival to the country. However, they would still need to test two days before departure, and once again at the first point of entry.
Meanwhile, Malaysia Airlines will be increasing its frequency of flights to a few popular international destinations. The national carrier will also be reinstating scheduled commercial services to some destinations, including to India (New Delhi, Bangalore, Mumbai, Chennai and Hyderabad), after nearly 24 months of suspension.
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