The Penang government has urged tourism players to adapt to the new requirements in the face of  COVID-19 crisis.

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow stated that State government is keen to help, but industry players need to adjust to the new normal and to forget that the next three to six months will draw crowds, if not more.

"Malaysia is not the only country in a half-lockdown; most governments also bar people from traveling abroad, fearing that when they return to their country, they will catch the virus and trigger another infection chain. Several tourism players will need to change their operations to adapt to the current business environment, but whatever it is, I can assure you that the government will be with you in the face of this crisis together," he said during a roundtable on virtual tourism.

The state government also considers exemption from hotel charges for the next six months to help the industry in this difficult time.

In the meantime, Yeoh Soon Hin Chairman of the State Tourism, Arts, Culture and Heritage Committee urged all Penang players and stakeholders to unite to break this difficult time.

He said tourism players need to cooperate with the regional government to provide an appropriate and desirable environment to restore tourism, now that the international tourism tourist industry has stopped in the middle of the outbreak.

"Now we must look at tourism differently, particularly in terms of sustainable development and sanitation, to provide the same quality experience as visitors expect and to meet the requirements of social distance, sustainability, and hygienic practices," he said.

The tourism industry employs over 150,000 people in Penang and value-added work is worth RM9 billion in over 35,700 businesses.