Labour shortage remains a setback for tourism industry

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s tourism industry continues to suffer post-pandemic due to labour shortage and because it lacks the financial pull to attract talent from local and foreign workers.

Sara Shera, who runs Perhentian Rambo, a familyowned travel service providing lodgings and tour packages in Pulau Perhentian, Terengganu explained that as business revenues dropped because of Covid-19 lockdowns and border restrictions, it has become increasingly difficult to attract talent to work in tourism-related jobs when better opportunities are available elsewhere.

“It’s difficult to attract workers because the pay isn’t very competitive. Why would people want to do back-breaking work when they can earn more doing things like Grab?”

She suggested that the government put more effort into luring talent to the industry and making it easier for tourism operators to remain competitive with other sectors.

“I think the government should try to make working in the tourism industry more appealing. The government should focus on providing more opportunities for small entrepreneurs to be able to do business without red tape.”

According to the Department of Statistics Malaysia, as of 2021, there were 3.52 million people employed in the local tourism industry compared to the 3.6 million persons recorded in 2019.

The National Recovery Council (NRC) had previously pushed the government to provide initiatives in order to address labour shortages and aid in the sector’s recovery.

Its chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin suggested that the government make it easier for local businesses to hire foreign labour in order to quicken the country’s economic recovery process.

Sara Shera added that the government should also focus on keeping an eye on illegal activities taking place within the country’s tourism industry. — Malay Mail