KUALA LUMPUR: Opening Malaysia's international borders on March 1 will catalyse the tourism industry's recovery and expedite the nation's economic rebound, said tourism industry players.
They said the National Recovery Council's (NRC) recommendation to open the borders was a positive step.
Malaysian Association of Tour & Travel Agents president Datuk Tan Kok Liang said this was based on the nation's high vaccination rate, the public health infrastructure's ability to manage the crisis, and a clear direction towards endemicity.
"As proven the world over, the containment of Covid-19 goes beyond lockdowns, movement control orders and mobility restrictions.
"A holistic approach, taking into consideration economic activities for the wellbeing of the people, must now be a priority."
Tan said as more countries had started to open their borders without stringent quarantine rules, it only seemed fair for Malaysia to follow suit.
"The reopening will not only boost the tourism sector but also other related sectors.
"We acknowledge and laud the medical services provided by our frontliners, and while public health is of paramount importance, we cannot keep maintaining this (strict) approach."
He said the tourism industry was moving into its third year of financial distress without having a clear roadmap for recovery by the government.
"It will be disastrous if the government continues to ignore a vital component of the economy, which in the past contributed RM89.4 billion in foreign tourism receipts."
Malaysia Budget & Business Hotel Association national deputy president Dr Sri Ganesh Michiel said another delay in opening borders would negatively impact the recovery of the industry.
"For the past two years, the tourism and hotel industry has suffered a lot, mainly in terms of revenues and operations.
"Another delay will see more hotels downgrading their services to cover operational costs, and some will have to close their operations for good."
He said the hotel industry was ready for the reopening and able to enforce strict standard operating procedures (SOP).
Malaysia Homestay Operators Association vice-president Datuk Cobra Jeffrey Ayah said the prolonged closure of borders would push tourism players deeper into hardship.
He said the arrival of more international visitors, if the borders were to open, would jumpstart the tourism sector to allow it to perform at its optimum level by the year-end.
"I believe that it is time to reopen our borders as Covid-19 is here to stay."
He added the government's tourism initiatives, such as the Langkawi International Travel Bubble and Malaysia-Singapore air and land vaccinated travel lane, proved that the country could reopen its borders.
Malaysian Tourist Guides Council president Jimmy Leong said certain entry procedures needed to be worked out.
"We are so happy to hear the news of the proposed reopening.
"With Malaysia having one of the highest vaccination rates in the world, we will hold the upper hand in wooing foreign visitors.
"Based on a meeting this morning (Wednesday) with Tourism Malaysia, the industry is looking at Asean countries first.
"This will be followed by other Asian countries before extending it to the rest of the world.
"The industry predicts that Chinese and Indian tourists will take some time before coming to our shores."
He said he was confident that tourism partners were prepared to handle new guidelines to welcome visitors.
Malaysian Association of Theme Parks and Family Attractions president Tan Sri Richard Koh said most theme parks could not survive with only the domestic market.
On Tuesday, the NRC proposed the full reopening of the country's borders as early as March 1.