SAFE-TRAVEL efforts have been extended by Malaysia’s business events and tourism leaders to the island state of Penang to boost market confidence.
Travel Safe Alliance Malaysia (TSAM) has joined forces with the Penang State EXCO Office for Tourism and Creative Economy.
Penang joins the Malaysian Association of Convention and Exhibition Organisers and Suppliers (MACEOS), Malaysian Association of Hotels, Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents and airlines under the Malaysia Aviation Group, which consists of Malaysia Airlines, Firefly and MASwings.
Officials say tourism activities are gradually picking up and the partnership is a timely move by Penang to lead efforts in tourism and economic recovery with a priority on safety and hygiene across the industry including hotels, food establishments, convention centres, tours, and transportation.
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Penang State EXCO for Tourism and Creative Economy, YB Yeoh Soon Hin, said: “Necessary efforts to ensure everyone’s safety is essential. We have and will continue to work hard to ensure that Penang can safely receive tourists to revive the economy.”
Yeoh noted that the double assurance of Penang’s industry-specific safety accreditation programme – the first in Malaysia – and TSAM’s travel solution certified by Bureau Veritas Certification Malaysia, raised the benchmark for travel safety.
“This provides solid assurance to travellers that the Penang State Government puts travel safety top-most on its agenda and welcomes tourists to its shores for peace-of-mind holidays,” he said.
“Penang Responsible Tourism campaign was also unveiled in July last year to remind all parties of their respective roles while partaking in travel activities. This campaign is also updated from time to time, in accordance with the guidelines outlined by the National Security Council, to better suit the nation’s pandemic situation.”
MACEOS president, Francis Teo, called on all tourism industry players to subscribe to TSAM, saying: “TSAM looks forward to seeing a wider acceptance and implementation of its certification programme among the island’s tourism industry players. This is especially urgent in light of the launch of new flights into Penang from Kota Kinabalu and Kuching.”
