Pulau Tioman & Genting Highlands Will Not Reopen For Tourists This October

By Karissa Lund  •  29 Sep 2021 in News

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With the Langkawi travel bubble being deemed a success, plans to open other tourist locations like Genting Highlands and Pulau Tioman by October, were proposed. However, Tourism Pahang general manager Kamaruddin Ibrahim said yesterday (28 Sept), the reopening of the two locations has been postponed indefinitely.

According to Malaysiakini, he said the move followed a statement by Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob that reopening of island resorts and tourism centres or destinations and inter-state travel would only be allowed when the vaccination rate of the country’s adult population had reached 90 per cent.

“Following this, those in Pahang are only allowed to travel to tourist destinations in the state while adhering to the strict standard operating procedures (SOPs). For out-of-state tourists who have already made reservations, we ask that they contact the tourism operators for advice, either to postpone their trip or otherwise,” Kamaruddin said.

In line with Pahang’s transition to Phase 3 of the National Recovery Plan, he hoped the local residents would in turn help boost the sector which had been badly affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

“After moving to Phase 3, many activities have been relaxed and inter-district travel allowed. So, I hope more people will visit the many interesting places in the state like Janda Baik, Rompin State Park and many more,” he added.

Looks like Langkawi is still the place to go.

Just two weeks ago, more than nine thousand tourists flocked to Pulau Langkawi as it became the country’s first-holiday hotspot to reopen after months of lockdown. So far, there are no Covid-19 cases recorded among the tourists as recently stated by Kedah Health director Dr Othman Warijo.