KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's tourism industry incurred an estimated RM100 billion in losses in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.
Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said efforts are ongoing to promote domestic tourism activities and assist businesses to ensure they remain competitive and resilient.
Incentives and assistance were channelled through initiatives under the Economic Recovery Plan (Penjana) and economic stimulus package Prihatin, as well as vouchers and discounts to encourage Malaysians to travel domestically, she said.
Among the incentives, she said, were wage subsidy programmes, electricity subsidies for the tourism sector, and targeted loan moratoriums.
"Meanwhile, Motac (Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry) has and will continue to implement specific initiatives, like offering an online Domestic Tourism Vibes course; exemption of license fees for tour operators and guides; discounts and deferment of compounds for all tour operators and guides; and developing the online platform www.malaysia.travel for industry players to promote their products and services for free.
"Motac also has incentives to help tourism players develop and expand their programmes and projects, like tourism accommodation, homestays, and crafts and services related to tourism, in helping them to sustain themselves and remain resilient amid the Covid-19 pandemic," she said in reply to a question from Noorita Sual (PH-DAP-Tenom).
Nancy said the ministry also offers financial assistance through its Tourism Infrastructure Fund, Special Tourism Fund, and Penjana Tourism Financing, as well as tax relief for eligible tour companies.
She said the digital platform e-Kraf Bazaar, developed during the early stage of the Movement Control Order (MCO), is aimed at assisting Malaysians sell their craft products, with over RM10 million in sales recorded as of Nov 30.
"Kraftangan will go to areas with limited Internet coverage to source these products and help sell them online."
She said the MYcraftshoppe, which adopted the Global Reach Local Identity, was also launched to further expand the market for local craft products.
