PM: 10-year plan to spur tourism industry, special tourism investment zones included

PETALING JAYA: A 10-year plan under the National Tourism Policy 2020-2030 will create tourism investment zones alongside five main thrusts to regenerate one of the worst hit industries due to the Covid-19 pandemic, says Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

The Prime Minister said that the policy is much needed as the industry, which lost more than RM100bil during the pandemic, will take about two to four years to recover with one in four jobs in Malaysia related to the tourism industry.

He said this at the virtual launching of the National Tourism Policy 2020-2030 organised by the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry on Wednesday (Dec 23).

“The government is aware and sensitive to the big hurdles faced by the industry players.

“The United Nations World Tourism Organisation has predicted that the recovery of the global tourism sector will take about two to four years.

“This is a long time and will definitely be a big challenge to those involved directly and indirectly.

“In 2019, the tourism industry contributed 15.9% of the gross domestic product (GDP) worth RM240.2bil.

“The labour force of the tourism industry recorded 3.6 million people who contributed 23.6% of the total labour force. This means in every four jobs in Malaysia, one is connected to the tourism industry.

“At the initial stage, we can regenerate the tourism industry by activating the domestic tourism as the borders are still closed and return the confidence of our people to visit domestic tourism sites,” said Muhyiddin.

He stated that the National Tourism Policy 2020-2030 will be implemented through six main strategic thrusts - namely administration transformation, inclusive tourism investment zones, consolidating tourism digitalisation, enhance demand sophistication, reinforce commitment to sustainable and responsible tourism, upskilling human capital in all tourism sub-sectors.

“The importance of developing the tourism industry based on digital technology is important to ensure that the objective of the policy is achieved.

“The advancement in technology can strengthen the network between the industry and provide opportunities for new innovative tourism industry sub-sectors which in turn can create business and job opportunities.

“Technology-centred- tourism investment centres are encouraged.

“Under this policy, Malaysia will set up inclusive tourism investment zones to increase public and private cooperation as well as attract more local and foreign investors.

He said as a responsible government, it is important to ensure a balance between development, protection and preservation of the country’s treasures including the environment, culture and heritage.

“Our aim is to brand Malaysia as 'Top of the Mind Ecotourism Destination of the World'.

“I believe the preservation of resources can spur new economic growth and create job opportunities.

“This policy is part of our efforts in Malaysia’s commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals as part of the United Nations,” said Muhyiddin.

The virtual launching was also participated by Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri, who stated that the aim of the policy is to make Malaysia the world’s top choice.

She said that the past awards received by Malaysia as a tourist-friendly country is proof that the industry can be regenerated again with a 10-year plan under the National Tourism Policy 2020-2030.

She pointed out that Malaysia has been named as the best country in four out of six sectors in the State of the Global Islamic Economy (SGIE) Report 2020/21 and emerged as the top-ranked country in the Muslim-Friendly Travel (MFT) sector.

In 2019, Malaysia was ranked as having the world’s best healthcare under the International Living Annual Global Retirement Index 2019.

Last year, Kuala Lumpur was also ranked among the world’s top five most visited cities.