According to the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (Matta),the country’s tourism sector is expected to have a slow recovery in the last quarter of the year and should stabilise by June 2021.

Its president Datuk Tan Kok Liang said the Covid-19 pandemic had hit local tourism stakeholders hard. Tan also suggested Malaysians to help the local travel sector recover by doing domestic holidays, once everything is good to go.

"Slow recovery is expected on the last quarter of this year and we hope the industry will stabilise by June 2021. Travel has become an integral part of our lifestyle the last couple of years, but this outbreak has put a brake on it since January this year, ” he told.

“Our hospitality and leisure industry employs directly 1.3 million workers and with economic spin-offs. We need to be united to rebuild the industry and hence all Malaysians should consider supporting travel domestically for a start, ” he said.

Tan said the local tourism industry is a mature sector with some well-developed tourism destinations.

"After the pandemic is over it recommended to travel closer to home. It is much easier for government or industry to do emergency evacuation within the country if similar pandemic occurs again.

"It also helps local airlines, licensed travel agents and hotels in terms of cash flows this will help them to revive their operation and sustainability, ” he said.