Promoting ‘Malaysia, Truly Asia’

Middle East has been one of the key markets for Malaysia since time immemorial. Although the pandemic has temporarily suspended international travel, Tourism Malaysia is proactively keeping the trade and visitors informed of the many initiatives undertaken to return once the borders open. HE Mohamed Hasril Abdul Hamid, Consul General, Consulate General of Malaysia shares with TRAVTALK.

Shehara Rizly

What are initiatives taken by the Consulate to support tourism to Malaysia from this market?

The Consulate General of Malaysia Office, through Tourism Malaysia (TM) Dubai, continues to undertake initiatives promoting Malaysian tourism despite the current COVID-19 pandemic that has adversely impacted global tourism.  During the pandemic, promotional activities has been done through digital means such as online webinars and social media campaigns.

Among the promotional activities undertaken by TM office include:

• Online webinar with industry players and partners from GCC to share their insights about the market trends and how it has been affected by COVID-19, as well as travellers’ expectations and behaviour in the future when they plan for their holidays once borders are open. The webinar had provided a great opportunity for the Malaysian hoteliers & tour operators to learn valuable inputs for them to strategise once the market is open;
• Online training for the front liners to keep them updated on the Malaysian tourism products;
• Social media campaign during Ramadan this year to promote Malaysian cuisines, so that potential travellers would be aware of Malaysian food when they visit Malaysia. TM office had also collaborated with WEGO Middle East (the largest online travel marketplace in the Middle East) and succeeded in engaging with huge social media audiences to watch cooking demonstrations by one of the Malaysian top chefs, Dato’ Ismail.

Malaysia is one of the most favoured destinations by the GCC mainly because it caters to the requirements of the travellers. What initiatives would the Consulate and the government take to ensure that family tourists will revisit the destination?

We continuously promote and position Malaysia as a safe family destination in the GCC with the branding of ‘Malaysia, Truly Asia’.  At this moment, we do not think that there would be a shift in the market segment, especially now as travellers feel safer and have more confidence in travelling with members of their family rather than with others.

We also understand that safety and hygiene will be on top of the mind of travellers or a family when they choose a destination for holiday.  Therefore, it is very important for us to continue building confidence in travellers on Malaysia through various media engagements and social media postings on what the government and tourism stakeholders are implementing to ensure their safety.  We hope through this confidence building, they would consider revisiting Malaysia when we reopen our borders.

The government also continues to provide updates on the standard operating procedures (SOPs) and status of COVID-19 in the country, as well as requirements to enter Malaysia, through various channels including media briefings, and postings on its social media platforms to ensure the public and potential visitors are kept abreast of the latest situation in Malaysia.  For example, if you look at the government websites, they contain information with regard to the latest situation as well as the guidelines in place – from the management of COVID-19 procedures at point of entry, home assessment tool, and many other health and safety protocols.

At the same time, our TM office also continues to engage with our industry players in Malaysia to ensure that they are well prepared to fulfil the needs of this market segment and always keen to strengthen their relationships with travel agencies in the GCC.  This would eventually allow them to formulate, design and tailor-make the most attractive travel packages that meet the market’s needs.

What are the safety and health measures the country is currently putting in place to prepare when the border opens for GCC or international tourists?

Currently, the Malaysian Government implements comprehensive and nationwide safety and health measures, as well as standard operating procedures (SOPs) that are in line with the international protocols and standards.  These guidelines need to be followed by Malaysian nationals, expatriates in the country and foreigners who are allowed entry into the country during Malaysia’s Recovery Movement Control Order.  This generally refers to expatriates with valid Malaysian working visas, student visas, and members of the Malaysia My 2nd Home programme.

All costs including the PCR tests and hotel stay (including meals) are to be borne by the individuals and payment has to be made before flying to Malaysia through the mobile app ‘MyQR’.

Updates

Under the current SOPs at the point of entry, for example, it is compulsory for all travellers who are allowed entry to Malaysia to download the mobile apps ‘MySejahtera’ and ‘MyQR by MyEG’ for contact tracing and payment purposes.  PCR tests will then be conducted upon their arrival at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA).  They are also required to undergo 14-day quarantine at designated facilities/hotels determined by the government.