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Malaysia launches 10-year tourism plan after $25 billion loss in 2020

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Reuters

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2020/reuters/12/23/20201223-malaysia.jpg"/><figcaption>A tourist takes a picture of the city skyline at a bar in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, October 9, 2019. <em>Lim Huey Teng, Reuters/File</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysia on Wednesday launched a 10-year plan to restart its battered tourism sector, which is estimated to have lost more than 100 billion ringgit ($24.61 billion) this year due to the coronavirus pandemic.</p><p>The Southeast Asian country had initially targeted 30 million tourist arrivals through its &quot;Visit Malaysia 2020&quot; program, up from 28 million last year.</p><p>But the global pandemic has crippled the tourism industry, which in 2019 had contributed 240.2 billion ringgit, or 15.9% of Malaysia&#x27;s gross domestic product, Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said.</p><p>Malaysia closed its borders to most foreigners in March, with entry strictly limited to business purposes, as part of restrictions imposed to stem the spread of the coronavirus.</p><p>That has helped to keep infections to less than 100,000 and COVID-19 deaths to just 439.</p><p>&quot;Clearly, we have been impacted by the outbreak of the COVID-19 epidemic this year and economic activities related to the tourism industry... are being forced to face their most difficult moments,&quot; Muhyiddin said during a virtual launch of a national tourism policy for 2020-2030.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/overseas/12/22/20/malaysia-buys-astrazeneca-covid-19-vaccines-seeks-more-from-china-russia">Malaysia buys AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines, seeks more from China, Russia</a></li></ul><p>The policy would be focused on strengthening competitiveness, encouraging sustainable and inclusive tourism, as well as planning for future disasters, Muhyiddin said.</p><p>It also seeks to brand Malaysia as an ecotourism destination, with a commitment towards balancing the development and conservation of its natural environment and heritage, he said.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/overseas/12/01/20/un-tourism-body-urges-uniformity-in-virus-travel-rules">UN tourism body urges uniformity in virus travel rules</a></li>	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/overseas/10/28/20/as-tropical-destinations-reopen-worldwide-heres-what-travelers-need-to-know">As tropical destinations reopen worldwide, here’s what travelers need to know</a></li></ul><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></div><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/aQ-orZTzenI?enablejsapi=1" width="560"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div>

<p>Malaysia on Wednesday launched a 10-year plan to restart its battered tourism sector, which is estimated to have lost more than 100 billion ringgit ($24.61 billion) this year due to the coronavirus pandemic.</p>

Malaysia on Wednesday launched a 10-year plan to restart its battered tourism sector, which is estimated to have lost more than 100 billion ringgit ($24.61 billion) this year due to the coronavirus pandemic.