Interstate travel for tourism between states placed under the recovery movement control order (RMCO) under the targeted travel bubble programme is expected to restore the tourism sector in stages.

Goh Hock Gin, chairman of the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (Matta) Melaka branch, believes the move would help prevent the Covid-19 outbreak from spreading among tourists.

Goh said it was a good start and that it might help track visitors in the event of a Covid-19 infection outbreak.

“The tourism industry players in Melaka have been waiting for this decision for a long time. Even if the move is only seen as helping travel agents, at the very least, efforts are being made to help revive the tourism sector in stages,” he said.

To avoid the creation of a new cluster, the tourism cluster, which could lead to the introduction of the third movement control order, he said industry players and tourists should adhere to the requirements set forth (MCO).

Goh said those from the states under the RMCO who wish to visit Melaka could use the services of 80 travel agents under MATTA registered with the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC).

Meanwhile, Madelina W.L Kuah, president of the Melaka Tourism Association, said the conditions placed on these visitors were burdensome and expensive because they would have to use travel agents' services, and that their movement would be limited compared to if they were permitted to use their own vehicles.

Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said yesterday that interstate tourism travel between states under the RMCO would be permitted starting today, subject to strict standard operating procedures (SOP), including the use of Motac-registered travel agencies.

Melaka, Pahang, Terengganu, Sabah, Putrajaya, Labuan, and Perlis are all under the RMCO from March 2 to March 15, while Langkawi was declared an RMCO zone today, despite the fact that Kedah remains under the CMCO.