The Government of Penang has proposed implementing a "travel bubble" strategy to help the tourism sector recover among states designated green zones.

The idea, also introduced in Australia and New Zealand, is intended to make it easier for travelers to resume and restart tourism when adapting to the new norm.

In a statement, Yeoh Soon Hin, Chairman of the Committee on Tourism, Arts, Culture and Heritage, said the idea was one of the steps studied to prepare for the future once the interstate travel ban has been lifted.

"As Penang is currently practicing the Gradual Recovery Strategy, this could be a viable solution, to begin with, rather than opening all our borders at once and risking transmission again, which will bring us back to square one and bring to waste the efforts to contain the virus which took us months long," he said.

He said that the gradual, smooth approach would permit safe travel areas between green zones and reopen tourism economies.

Instead of spreading into other states, Yeoh said the initial stage of the project would be only limited to tourist attractions in Penang.

"We could kick-start the tourism economy gradually, but through constant monitoring of the progress before we proceed, as it is a state priority to ensure that the state remains a green zone before Penang opens its tourism borders to welcome others," he said, adding that the proposed approach will be raised during the upcoming tourism task force meeting.