As the country is approaching its endemic phase, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced, ‘Malaysia is now an open destination and accessible to all.’

The special announcement was made on 8 March 2022 about Malaysia reopening its borders on 1 April 2022 to revive the country’s economy, especially the tourism industry, which had a significant impact due to the pandemic.

With tourists now open to exploring Malaysia, the government has launched several new property projects to boost the tourism industry. The industry players in the market are also gearing up to welcome visitors as the country is slowly easing from the clutch of the pandemic.

Here are four such projects to enhance the nation’s tourism industry as the border reopening date is around the corner:

1. Rantau Panjang-Sungai Golok friendship bridge in Kelantan

   In February 2022, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob had a meeting with Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha. In the meeting, they agreed to implement the Rantau Panjang-Sungai Golok bridge to extend the connection between the two countries.

   This would be the second friendship bridge initiated by Malaysia after the Muhibbah bridge, which was built many years ago. The proposed budget for the Rantau Panjang-Sungai Golok bridge is set to RM 210 million and is expected to cater to tourism growth in the country. It would be 116 metres long, connecting the Sungai Golok sub-province of Thailand with Kelantan’s Rantau Panjang town.

   Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed from the Prime Minister’s Department says, ‘As one of the states that connect the country with the neighbouring countries, the new bridge is important for Kelantan and its people. It is hoped that the new bridge would ease traffic between both countries.’

   Mustapa addressed the subject while talking about the bridge project at Rantau Panjang Customs in Quarantine and Security Complex (ICQS) on 12 March 2022.

2. 10 water treatment plants in Kelantan

   Water Management Assets Berhad (PAAB) allocated RM 471 million to build ten water treatment plants in Kelantan. This is the second project announced by the government in 2022 after talks of the Rantau Panjang-Sungai Golok friendship bridge took place.

   The chairman of PAAB, Datuk Dr Mohd Khairuddin Aman Razali, said that the first few water treatments would be built in Semerak, Pasir Putih, which are expected to be completed by 2026.

   After a meeting with the state exco Datuk Azami Mohd Nor on 13 March 2022, Khairuddin spoke about the government’s plan for the water treatment to the reporters at Darulnaim Complex.

   “The water treatment plants in Semerak are expected to benefit some 300,000 people in Pasir Putih as well as those in Bachok,” he said.

   In addition, the government plans to build five mini treatment plants in Pengkalan Chepa, Bechah Mulong, Kampung Pengkalan Kubor, Kampung Laut and Kampung Paloh as per Khairuddin’s statement.

3. Grant to upgrade tourism facilities in Sabah

   Sabah’s government allocated RM 10 million grants to help 507 tourism projects in the state. As per Sabah Tourism Board (STB), they have ensured that the fund is being effectively utilised to improve tourism facilities in 27 districts.

   The special fund is being used to upgrade signages, walkways, parking areas and public restrooms. The project is further working on improving jetties, visitor information centres, hiking trails, gabion, landscape beautification and handicraft workshop to boost the tourism activity in the state.

   The grant is an initiative by the government to increase tourism in Sabah and help rural community tourism operators, non-governmental organisations, cultural villages, tourism associations, lodging providers and government agencies to revive their tourism business.

   STB is also providing a RM 20,000 grant to affected tourism players in Sabah to help them recoup from the tourism slump due to the pandemic.

4. Resorts World Genting ramp operation in Genting

   After a long wait, Resorts World Genting is open to visitors. They were experiencing a bit of a snag due to the closed borders and restrictions in Malaysia. However, with the borders reopening on 1 April 2022, Genting Malaysia Bhd announced they would ramp up their operational capacity by leveraging their prior assets and cost base to drive productivity and efficiency.

   In a corporate presentation for the Nomura Asean Virtual Conference 2022 on 4 March 2022, the casino and hotel operator of Resorts World Genting said, ‘Progressive roll-out of the remaining attractions at Genting SkyWorlds is a focus.’

   They plan to widen their product offerings by leveraging Empire Resort Inc’s award-winning mobile sports betting licence.

   However, ‘Health and safety of guests, employees and the community remain a key priority,’ he said.

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