The start of Malaysia’s first international tourism bubble in Langkawi Island is being closely monitored as the nation is hoping to reopen its borders next year in a bid to revive an industry badly battered by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The entry of foreign tourists, the first since borders closed almost two years ago, is taking place amid warnings that Covid-19 cases may rise again with the recent increase in the infectivity rate despite the country’s high vaccination rate.

The Kedah state government stated that it had completed its preparations for the travel bubble with local authorities and agencies such as the Langkawi Development Authority (LADA) as well as tourism players.

All foreign holidaymakers have to undergo Covid-19 screening upon arrival on the island and the results will be known within 10 minutes.

They have to take the test at a facility near the Langkawi International Airport.

International travellers would further boost Langkawi’s tourism sector due to their higher spending power.

This boost is needed as in the year 2019 the tourism sector brought in around 26 million tourists and over RM86 billion in revenue which was a reduction compared to previous years.

-THE MALAYSIA VOICE