Govt urged to open up CMCO states to tourism travel too

IPOH: Traders at tourist spots in Perak are hoping that interstate travel for tourism will be allowed in states under the conditional movement control order as well.

Trader Allen Ho said it was very confusing for everyone when people could travel to some states but not to others.

“The government should either allow all tourism spots to open or close them totally.

“Now I am hoping that Perak will also be under the recovery MCO soon, so that people will be able to visit, and we traders will have business as well, ” said Ho, who sells clothes here at Panglima Lane, popularly known as Concubine Lane.

The area was visibly empty compared with normal days.

In the adjoining street is another popular tourist spot called “Plan B”, where people go for food, handicraft, stay at the hotel there, or just to take photographs.

Leong Chai Yuen, who sells handicraft, said she was aware that the government was trying to help tourism industry players by creating the travel bubble.

“However, the government must ensure that travel agents really adhere to the standard operating procedure.

“We really cannot afford another MCO. I am hoping that a recovery MCO will be announced in Perak soon as well, ” she added.

However, four friends who were there taking photographs said they did not agree with the travel bubble SOP.

University student Aina Batrisyia Mohd Izat said she could not understand the reason to pay a travel agent to go for a domestic holiday when she could drive to the destination herself.

“I just feel that such an announcement does not make sense at all, ” she added.

Perak Kwan Yin Tong Temple (Goddess of Mercy Temple) committee chairman Ho You Meng said he hoped the government would consider allowing tourism travel in conditional MCO states as well.

“Most of the people or devotees who come to cave temples are from other states. We are seeing very few people visiting the cave temple.

“With strict compliance, I am hoping that people will be allowed to travel to Perak as well, ” he said.

In Melaka, the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) Melaka Chapter described the latest SOP on interstate travel as a step forward towards revitalising domestic travel.

But chapter chairman Goh Hock Gin said it was too early to gauge if it would have any significant effect on the travel industry.

“We must understand that many of the main markets for domestic travel are located in many of the areas still under the conditional MCO such as Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Penang and Johor.

“Many of the operators and tourism vehicles are within those states.

“It would also take some time for us to market and reach out to the public with new packages to cater to the restrictions in place and for the public to take up the tours, ” he said.