Tourism Dying - Another Victim Of Dasar Ekonomi Bebal

 sceptical of any quick fix  

20 years of random policies, no focus, no continuity 
no coordinated, consistent strategy

 
 

https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2023/1/16/malaysia-tourism-recovery-lags-thailand-indonesia-vietnam
 

Malaysia’s tourism recovery flops

Thailand, Indonesia cash in
Malaysia struggling to bring back tourists
Malaysia reopened borders but tourism struggling
Malaysia 3m visitors in 2022 

Thailand, S'pore, Indonesia — 10m, 4.6m and 4.58m visitors respectively

• Malaysia’s weak rebound from pandemic compared with neighbours
• poor cost competitiveness, buttoned-up, Islamic society
• Islamic Party caused jitters floated possible ban on alcohol
• Malaysia highest alcohol taxes 
• harsh punishments for drug offences, including death 
• Thailand reputation for tolerant attitude

Flights from Europe less [frequent], more expensive
Langkawi not as cheap as neighbours, especially accommodation
Bali higher tourist numbers more dependable labour
Malaysia losing massively to Thailand and Indonesia

• Malaysia food and beverage scene, quality not up to par 
• neighbours have lower alcohol tax
• neighbours more open to new ideas of tourism
  

Malaysia tourism suffers from inconsistent policies over decades
Malaysia in stark contrast to Indonesia
2022 decline of 90% arrivals from West into Malaysia
double-digit growth in Indonesia same period 

• travel, accommodation costs in Borneo highest in years
• Most lodges, transport providers hiked 20% 
• Sabah Parks doubled price of permits and entrances
• permits to Mount Kinabalu doubled from RM200 to RM400
• costs of guides, food, accommodation, cheapest package RM2400 per pax
• only some of Sabah's protected parks promoted by authorities  
• Sumatra 1/3 to 1/5 Malaysian Borneo’s prices (orangutan tourism)

• sceptical of any quick fix
• more than 20 years random policies, no focus, no continuity 
• no coordinated, consistent strategy
• don’t see how things may change or improve soon
• Source: Al Jazeera

 

My highly educated comment:

 

Pergi mampos lah bodoh. Elok pergi duduk dalam gua. C-buk dalam sungai.  Panggil tourist mai ambil gambar.

The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT.