KUCHING: Malaysians have been reminded to be responsible tourists by abiding to the standard operating procedures stipulated for the sector.
Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said the matter is not only important to combat the spread of Covid-19 infection but also ensure continuity of the tourism industry.
"We (tourists and industry practitioners) should cooperate so that the local tourism and culture industry need not face closure of such activities.
"The closure of tourism activities has negative impact on the economic chain of those involved as well as the country in general," she said in speech at a Prihatin Malaysia event in Simunjan about 80km from here, today.
On March 10, Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced that the government allowed cross-state tourism among states under Recovery Movement Control Order (RMCO) in the targeted tourism bubble.
Ismail Sabri said these activities are however subject to tight SOP including the need to go through tour agencies registered under the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC).
Meanwhile, Nancy called on Malaysians to take the opportunity to go on domestic tours with the relaxation of restrictions.
"I believe there are many attractive destinations in the country which we have not fully explored. There are various arts and culture activities which we could learn to appreciate," she said. - Bernama