SUNGAI PETANI - Despite the devastating impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, the tourism and hotel industry is showing signs of recovery, with approximately 35 per cent of businesses managing to reopen.
The 2023 Kedah Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (Matta) Association Exhibition chairman P Subramanian acknowledged that the industry still faced challenges and needed support to sustain itself.
"The current situation remains chaotic, and our industry requires assistance to navigate through these difficult times," said Subramanian, who is also the acting chairman of Matta in Kedah Perlis.
He highlighted that many businesses had closed their central operations and laid off workers due to the unprecedented circumstances.
"From 260 tour agents registered, most have yet to renew their operational licence and membership following the effect of the pandemic.
"Some have closed their offices altogether, and those seeking to renew their licenses must also bear the costs of taxes and other associated fees, further hindering their ability to resume operations,” he said in a press conference in the 2023 Kedah Matta Fair on Wednesday.
The fair, scheduled to take place from June 23 to June 25 at Central Square in Sungai Petani, has attracted a total of 40 registrations from across the country, including 15 tour agents and hotel companies from Kedah and Perlis.
Highlighting the importance of the event, Subramanian explained that the fair aimed to provide opportunities for industry players to remain in the market by offering a diverse range of tourism packages at reasonable prices.
This initiative aims to benefit not only the local community in Kedah but also visitors from other northern states.
"We encourage tourists to seize this opportunity and take advantage of the packages offered. Any support they provide will contribute to the recovery of the industry, making it the ideal platform to revive tourism," Subramanian expressed optimistically.