Malaysia's Green Travel Bubble Set to Revive Local Tourism

Malaysia’s announcement that it is developing “green bubbles” to revive the domestic tourism industry has drawn cautious optimism from experts. According to Datuk Tan Kok Liang, President, Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA), a “controlled” travel bubble involving a fixed number of people with a set itinerary will be effective in boosting domestic tourism.

Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri, Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister, meanwhile, recently shared that a “green bubble” strategy will be launched in Langkawi, from September this year, to rebuild confidence among international and domestic tourists to revive local tourism, based on the assumption that 80% of the island’s population would have been vaccinated by then. She said that Langkawi has been chosen for the pilot project as it is isolated, has a small population and has only one entry and exit point. She explained that if successful, the same initiative will be launched in Kota Kinabalu, Penang, Desaru Coast, Pulau Perhentian, Kuching, Malacca, Genting Highlands and Pulau Tioman.