ROMPIN: Eight tourist destinations across Pahang are ready to reopen their doors to visitors, pending the green light from the National Security Council (NSC).
Tourism Pahang general manager Kamaruddin Ibrahim said the chosen holiday spots which have achieved herd immunity against Covid-19 will be reopened to visitors in stages.
"Since inter-district travel is allowed, people in Pahang can now travel to the tourist destinations but they will not be able to participate in any outdoor or leisure activities. For example, those who have acompleted two vaccine doses can board the ferry to Pulau Tioman but they cannot go out snorkeling and scuba diving...they will be forced to remain in their chalets or hotels.
"To date, eight tourist destinations are prepared to reopen and receive visitors. The operators have provided the standard operating procedures(SOPs) to be studied and agreed by the NSC. To avoid emergence of tourism clusters, the opening of the eight destinations will be done in stages," he told reporters at Dewan Kuala Rompin near here today.
Kamaruddin was met after accompanying Tioman assemblyman Datuk Seri Mohd Johari Hussain to distribute Bantuan Prihatin Pahang (BPP) Covid-19 aid to 107 boat operators and tour guides here.
The eight destinations which are prepared to open their doors to tourists are Pulau Tioman and Taman Negeri Rompin (both in Rompin), Genting Highlands and Janda Baik (both in Bentong), Fraser's Hill( Raub), Taman Negara (Jerantut), Kuala Gandah National Elephant Conservation Centre (Temerloh) and Cameron Highlands.
Meanwhile Kamaruddin said the tourism SOPs at holiday destinations under the new normal will no longer allow the maximum number of occupants staying in one room or travelling on a passenger boat.
"There will be a limit on the number of participants in all the activities both indoor and outdoor, and this is to avoid overcrowding. We will no longer follow the boat capacity but set a limit to adhere to the new SOPs.
"Everything will be done systematically and will be well-planned....from the time visitors arrive at their destination until they leave. Tourists will be required to register in advance, confirm their accommodation and equipment rental," he said.
Meanwhile, Johari, who is also the State Human Resource, Sports and Non-governmental Organisation (NGO) committee chairman said Pulau Tioman was expected to be reopened for visitors before the end of this month.
"We hope to open the island before the monsoon season which is expected to hit in late October. Ninety-five per cent of the island's population rely on tourism as a source of income including boat, chalet and tour operators.
"Tioman used to receive about 200,000 visitors a year but now due to the pandemic, no one is going there anymore. Plans to reopen the island were discussed during the Pahang executive council meeting yesterday so we hope it can be made a reality soon," he said.