Malaysia and Turkey can work together in the tourism industry as the coronavirus pandemic has forced the sector to renovate its rules and services, putting health and safety issues first.

Ankara 's initiative to establish a new "safe tourism certification" program was applauded by Arhan Syafrisyah.

"I personally think it's a bold and good move that the government of Turkey made the initiative, to showcase to the world that Turkey's tourism, under a safe guideline, is back, opening its doors to all,” he said.

Arhan Syafrisyah’s statement came after Turkish Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy announced that more than 2,000 hotels have finalised the measures to receive the ministry’s safe tourism certificate.

Ersoy said that 400 hotels had implemented the entire requirements , the certificate had been issued to 132 so far to answer the event in which more than 50 embassy leaders of the country and representatives of the tourism industry were present..

"I think the certificate is a good initiative to inspire those in the industry that could encourage those from hoteliers to service providers to equip and ready themselves to meet the standard, for inspection and obtaining the certificate.

With the certificate, it would be a win-win for all," said Arhan Syafrisyah.

Meanwhile, in a press release, the Turkish Minister of Culture and Tourism has said that Ambassadors from the leading countries sending tourists into Turkey and international media have had the chance to experience Turkey in terms of safe tourism by meeting "Re-Turkey" held in Antalya, one of Turkey's most visited cities on 19-20 June.

The “ReTurkey” meeting has helped observe on-site all details a tourist will encounter as well as all safety measures taken under the ‘Safe Tourism Certification Programme’ from the aeroplane to the airport, transfer vehicle to the hotel