Amidst the Covid-9 pandemic, the government's move to use hotels as quarantine centres for Malaysians returning from overseas will benefit the hotel industry, which was affected badly

Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) president Datuk Mohd Khalid Harun has applauded the move by the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry and the National Security Council to declare that the hotel industry is among critical sectors which can continue to operate during the Movement Control Order (MCO).

"This decision will help our members which are now facing business uncertainty," he said.

MATTA represents 3,116 members, including travel agents, hoteliers, homestay owners, tour guides, airlines, theme parks, money changers, insurance companies and small and medium-sized companies (SMEs).

Mohd Khalid also said he foresees the government further enhancing the economic stimulus package soon to help SMEs, based on his meeting with Finance Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Aziz on March 31.

"We expect from the package something that could give a breather to tourism industry players, and at the same time, save close to one million workers from losing their jobs.

"During this global economic uncertainty caused by Covid-19, MATTA calls on all its members to focus on developing domestic tourism products

“MATTA will organise talks with Tourism Malaysia regarding this after the MCO,” he added.