‘Less is more is the travel mantra the next season’
Irrespective of the international border opening being gradual and tentative, Tourism Malaysia stayed connected with their travel trade partners via various online platforms such as webinars for travel agents, internal video conference sessions, and product briefing sessions for travel partners, etc. Mohd Hafiz Hashim, Director, Tourism Malaysia- Mumbai, shares more on their present focus during the pandemic.
While societies and industries are now looking to rebuild and re-emerge from the crisis, the recovery process for the travel industry will be complicated and lengthy. Despite some countries across the globe negotiating travel bubble pacts with their ‘safe’ counterparts in a move to revive the tourism sector, recovery to pre-pandemic levels may take time even after all restrictions are withdrawn.
Speaking about their current focus for India, Hashim says, “Well currently, we are focusing on staying competitive. The discerning travellers of today’s still love exploring unique experiences each destination has to offer and go much beyond staying in the top suite of hotels. Choosing the best dining options or spas to authentic local experiences and developing attractive packages will be our key focus forever and not only in the pandemic. To match up with the millennials’ definition of travel, you need to indulge with the local offerings which are way beyond any packaged holiday or cookie-cutter options. Furthermore, safety and hygiene will be the utmost issue to gain travellers’ confidence in our destination.”
When asked about communicating and staying in touch with their workforce and key stakeholders, Hashim speaks, “Working from home during COVID is obviously a move directed at minimizing the spread of the virus. Currently, most consumers aren’t brand-committed. For example, roughly 70 per cent of leisure travellers haven’t decided what airline they will travel with, and 80 percent haven’t chosen the accommodation provider when they first start thinking about a trip. Stakeholders in Malaysia are currently constantly updating their products and packages through social media platforms.”
2021 for Hashim, is going to be the year of the new normal with small groups holidaying for long at homestays run by local communities. Solo travel picks up pace, customised selfdriven options take the front seat. In these times of social-distancing, nature is set to triumph. It is the hills, sea resorts, wildlife reserves and isolated locations that will win over the traveller. With easy accessibility to hygiene and a more tailored approach to individual travel demands, glamping and homestays may just become the norm for leisure or business travellers. At the same time, MyCEB through Tourism Malaysia is offering some new incentives to lure business travellers to Malaysia.