KUCHING: Malaysia’s tourism industry slipped into the red as of June 2020, suffering RM45bil in losses compared to the revenue of RM86.14bil last year following the cancellation of the Visit Malaysia 2020 campaign due to the Covid19 pandemic.
Tourism, Art and Culture Ministry (Motac) revealed the painful reversal in the tourism sector, which contributes 15 per cent of the national GDP.
Thus, implementing measures such as tourism sector financing scheme under the National Economic Recovery Plan (Penjana) and other incentives, including financial assistance, tourism tax discount and service tax relief, was imperative to cushioning the negative impact.
“With the National Ecotourism Plan (2016-2025), Tourism Rehabilitation Plan and Cultural Rehabilitation Plan under Motac will be able to maximise the effort,” it said.
Motac also said the ministry initiated domestic travel campaigns to stimulate the economy while promoting tourism products.
“Financial incentive for eco-tourism industry would be able to help the industry to promote its niche tourism market.”
