By Adrian Lim
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 23: The National Tourism Policy (DPN) 2020-2030 launched today by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin intends to ensure the continuity of the country’s tourism sector as well as bring back Malaysia as a preferred travelling destination at the world stage.
Muhyiddin said the policy would be achieved by strengthening competitiveness, encouraging sustainability and inclusiveness in tourism industry development, and taking into account the preparations for future disasters.
“The policy will be implemented through six main strategic thrusts.
“They include the transformation of governance, creating an inclusive tourism investment zone and intensifying digitalisation of the tourism industry, enriching tourists experience and satisfaction, strengthening commitment to sustainable tourism and increasing the human capital capacity of all tourism sub-sectors,” he said through a live broadcast today,
Thus, Muhyiddin said the development of digitalisation for the tourism sector is important to ensure the objectives of the policy are achieved.
In the meantime, he believed the country’s tourism sector can be rejuvenated through domestic tourism.
He said Malaysians can travel within the country as international borders were closed.
Earlier, Muhyiddin revealed that the tourism industry in Malaysia has been projected to register more than RM100 billion in losses this year due to the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.
He said the tourism industry in particular hotels, shopping and food and beverages (F&B) industries have been heavily affected by the transmission of the coronavirus.
Citing research from the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), Muhyiddin said the global tourism sector is forecast to take two to four years time to recover from the effect of Covid-19.
He added the National Economic Action Council (EAC) had also projected that the tourism sector is expected to take at least four years’ time to recover from the impact of the coronavirus.
He said the government is concerned with the challenges faced by industry players.
Reflecting back, Muhyiddin said the tourism industry contributed 15.9 per cent to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2019 to the country with a value of RM240.2 billion.
He added there were 3.6 million workers in the tourism industry.
Muhyiddin said tourism spending by foreign tourists in 2019 have increased by 2.4 per cent to RM86.1 billion with 26.1 million foreign tourist arrivals.
For domestic tourism spending last year, he said there was an increase of 11.5 per cent to RM103.2 billion.—DayakDaily
End with the photo caption
Muhyiddin-dpn-23122020
Muhyiddin delivering his speech during the launching of the National Tourism Policy 2020-2030 today. Screenshot taken from Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture’s Corporate Communication Unit.
Muhyiddin-dpn-II-23122020
Muhyiddin delivering his speech during the launching of the National Tourism Policy 2020-2030 today. Screenshot taken from Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture’s Corporate Communication Unit.
