Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said at the Special Session of the National Security Council (MKN) which is also the Special Committee on Pandemic Management agreed to reopen the tourism sector.
Ismail Sabri said for the first step, Langkawi has been selected as a pilot project to reopen to local tourists starting September 16.
For other tourist destinations, it will be allowed to operate when the locality vaccination rate has reached 80 percent.
Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC), Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said with the gradual opening of domestic, it will shine a light on industry players in the country.
In the meantime, the announcement of the reopening of the tourism sector is expected to restore economic vitality as well as enable the Tourism Recovery Plan to be implemented immediately.
On the Langkawi Island pilot project, Nancy said it was the happiest news for MOTAC and industry players especially workers who have long been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Langkawi Island was chosen as the test field project due to its strategic position where the island is isolated and thus facilitates monitoring.
In addition, it also has its own strengths such as having a network of regional and international flights and has a variety of accommodation facilities for every layer of tourists.
If this pilot project in Langkawi Island is successful, it will give confidence to the people to return to enliven the tourism sector.
