In Malaysia’s case, the travel bubble has opened as national hospital and intensive care bed overcapacity eases, but most freed capacity is in Kuala Lumpur. Capacities in Kedah and Penang – of most relevance to Langkawi – were still severely stretched as of early September.
Second, targeted tourism liberalisation benefits a very small select group of travellers moving around for non-essential reasons.
The opening of tourist destinations precedes the wider reopening of domestic travel, which awaits achieving 90 per cent adult vaccination nationally. The latter is a broader strategy that will benefit a lot more Malaysians.
Third, opening domestic tourism bubbles goes against the transition to endemic living.
The pandemic phase has emphasised government determination of restrictions and SOPs. While these will persist to some extent, the endemic phase places greater faith in vaccination and people’s personal responsibilities.
Visiting loved ones is not risk-free but reflects a conscious choice within families, broader welfare considerations and point-to-point trips that are geographically contained. Tourists by contrast will visit as many places as allowed, may not fully appreciate local rules, and may downplay minor symptoms that threaten their holiday.
When seeking to optimise endemic phase travel, there remain strong arguments to triage around purpose (family reunion, business, long-stay in a single location) rather than geography where restrictions remain necessary.
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