KUALA LUMPUR - The Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (Matta) has called for domestic travel to be prioritised while the country battles the economic hardship caused by Covid-19 pandemic.
MATTA president, Datuk Tan Kok Liang, said the perception of the sector being the "first to be hit and last to recover" must change.
"Boosting domestic travel should be the priority and not be put as the last as it could invigorate economic activities in the value chain, including tourist attractions and the aviation, accommodation, transportation, retail, food and beverage sectors.
"The service industry is a significant revenue earner and employment provider, so this will minimise retrenchments in the tourism industry," he told the New Straits Times.
Mr Tan said other countries were putting domestic travel as a priority to boost economic activities and “Malaysia should do the same”.
He cited the Japanese government’s move to subsidise domestic travel costs and encourage people to take domestic trips through licensed travel agents.
"We ask the government to help us survive (the pandemic) and make good on the promises.”