SHORTENED SCHOOL HOLIDAYS MAY AFFECT DOMESTIC TOURISM
People are generally wary about going on holiday The shorter year-end holidays will have a major impact on the tourism industry as families trim their travel plans, industry players say. (Picture courtesy of FMT) Nicholas Chung of FMT reported that a group representing tour guides has voiced dismay over the government’s decision to cut the end-of-year school holidays to two weeks, saying it is a blow to the domestic tourism industry. The Malaysian Tourist Guides Council said the adverse effects would be felt not only by tour guides, but also hotels, theme parks, shopping malls and airlines and other transport services. Its president, Jimmy Leong , said the closing weeks of the year had always been a profitable time for domestic tourism. “Longer holidays will encourage families to go on vacation, using the shorter holidays to deal with family necessities,” Jimmy Leong was quoted by FMT as saying. A two-week break would mean most of the time would be spent on completing family errands...