Yeoh proposes “travel bubble” with green zone areas
for state gradual tourism approach
GEORGE TOWN – Penang is studying the implementation of a “travel bubble” for states which have been declared a green zone in order to balance both safety and tourism activities once interstate travelling is allowed nationwide.
Penang State EXCO for Tourism, Arts, Culture and Heritage (PETACH) YB Yeoh Soon Hin said this is one of the measures studied in an effort to plan ahead once Federal Government lifts the ban on interstate travelling.
“It has been more than two weeks now since Penang have been declared green zone in Malaysia. As we work towards maintaining the status, I am also studying the possible implementation of a “travel bubble” for states which have been declared a green zone in order to balance both safety and tourism activities once interstate travelling is allowed nationwide.
“It originated from the concept of “travel bubble”, proposed by Australia and New Zealand to gently ease into resuming travel and restart tourism industries as we look towards the new norm for Covid-19.
“As Penang is currently practising the Gradual Recovery Strategy, this could be a viable solution to begin with, rather than opening all our borders at once and risking transmission again- which will bring us back to square one and brought to waste the efforts to contain the virus which took us months long.
“This could be one of the state tourism approaches when our border reopen and interstate travelling is allowed. I foresee a gradual increase in tourism activities and movement then,” said Yeoh in a statement today.
He said this gradual and staggered approach, would, at the same time, allow ‘safe travel zones’ between green zones and reopen economies for tourism.
“I am also working on SOPs and guidelines for our tourism attractions and hoteliers including health and safety protocols in order to make Penang a safe place for both tourism personnel and future visitors.
“I believe that a standardised guideline will go a long way towards re-installing the confidence in travellers to come to Penang. This is the direction that we want to move towards – the next norm – as travellers now want to know they are offered the maximum safety priority when they leave their homes,” said Yeoh.
He said the “travel bubble” could be limited within Penang attractions first, before expanding into other states and internationally.
“We could kick-start the tourism economy gradually, but through constant monitoring of the progress before we proceed as it is a state priority to ensure that the state remains a green zone before Penang opens its tourism borders to welcome others.
“This approach forms a travelling network for areas with zero active Covid-19 cases, through which a corridor for green zones can be developed with other states, creating a “travel bubble” to restore traveller confidence gradually,” said Yeoh, adding that this would be raised during the tourism task force meeting taking place soon.
平衡安全和旅游活动
杨顺兴：槟正研究“旅游气泡”概念
（槟城20日讯）槟城正研究在已宣布绿区的州属实施“旅游气泡”（Travel Bubble），以期日后在疫情结束后，马来西亚允许国人在国内州际旅行时，得以在安全和旅游活动之间，取得平衡。
槟州旅游、艺术、文化及遗产事务行政议员杨顺兴说，此项提前规划的研究，是为了应付中央政府未来宣布解除州际旅行禁令的其中一项防疫措施计划。
“槟城自宣布为疫情绿区，迄今已超过两个星期，我们在努力地维持此绿区地位的同时，我也研究是否可对已宣布为绿区的其他州属实施‘旅游气泡’的可能性，以在国人获允州际旅行时，平衡安全和旅游活动。”
“‘旅游气泡’概念源于澳大利亚和新西兰，即在新冠疫情后的新常态下，和缓地放宽恢复旅游和重启旅游业。”
“槟城目前实行逐步恢复策略，这可能是一个可行的办法，而非冒着病毒再次传播风险，同一时间开放我们所有边界，否则浪费此前战役多个月的努力。”
杨顺兴今日发文告说，在开放边界和允许州际旅行后，‘旅行气泡’可能会是槟州旅游方式，仅允许绿色州属互通，并预见旅游活动将会逐渐增加。
他指出，此渐进和错开的方法，可以同时允许人在绿区旅游，及重振旅游经济。这个“旅游气泡”的概念，是环球旅游界在新冠肺炎病毒大流行之后产生的一种新概念。
“我也制定酒店和景点的健康与安全标准作业程序和规章制度，以让槟城成为旅游业职员和未来游客的安全地方，而标准化方针将有助于重新树立游客来槟城的信心，因为旅者想知道，当他们离开家时，是否会得到最大的安全优先权。”
他说，“旅游气泡”执行初期可能只会限制在槟城景点，然后再扩展至其他城市和国际。
“我们可以逐步启动旅游经济，但在执行开放旅游边界前会紧密监测情况，以确保槟州保持绿区。”
他说，这种方法是为零活跃新冠病例的地区形成旅行网，与其他绿区州属建立“绿色区域走廊”，从而形成“旅游气泡”，以逐渐恢复旅行者的信心。
杨顺兴补充，他将在来临的“槟州旅游新常态工作小组”会议，提出此建议。