tourism Johor A girl playing by the beach of Tinggi Island in Mersing, Johor. PIX: MOHD ADZLAN / MalaysiaGazette / 10 APRIL 2021. Muar Islands of Mersing Desaru Johor travel bubble initiative 80 percent vaccination rate
A girl playing by the beach of Tinggi Island in Mersing, Johor. PIX: MOHD ADZLAN / MalaysiaGazette / 10 APRIL 2021.

By Ernalisa Othman

JOHOR BAHRU – The Johor government made a request for three tourism areas in the state with over 80 percent of complete vaccination rate to be opened as the travel bubble destination.

The Chairman of Johor Tourism, Youth and Sports, Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi said that the three tourism areas are Muar, Mersing islands and Desaru.

He said, Tourism Johor and all tourism industry players in the state welcome the travel bubble initiative announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, that allows destinations with 80 percent of vaccination rate to operate.

“I believe that such initiative would bring new light to the tourism industry players who have gone through darkness since the pandemic started.

“Therefore, after discussing with Tourism Johor, I would like to request the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture to consider these 3 focus areas for the travel bubble initiative in Johor.

“For example, Muar is well known for the beautiful panorama, historical buildings and good food. This district has reached herd immunity on 4 September with 168,396 residents (84.24%) receiving their second dose.

“The Islands of Mersing or better known as the Maldives of Malaysia has reached 100% vaccination rate with 594 individuals (all residents and workers) while Desaru Coast that is crowned as World’s Greatest Places 2021 has reached 91% vaccination rate or 1,210 workers have received their second dose,” he said in a Facebook post this morning. –MalaysiaGazette