Impact of Covid-19 on Tourism and Hospitality Industry of Malaysia

Abstract

The tourism and hospitality industry as service sectors majorly contribute to boosting economies of several countries with beautiful tourism destinations and provide employment opportunities decreasing the unemployment ratio. The tourism industry involves business tours and holiday tours which may be domestic or international. The hospitality industry requires transportation services (like air travel services, railway services, cruise/ship services, public transport services), food and beverages services (F& B), lodging services (like hotels, motels, guest houses, guest rooms, homestays, hostels) and entertainment or destination spots (like cinemas, shopping malls, beaches, museums, amusement and themes park, restaurants, forests, rural tourism spots, etc.). So, the tourism and hospitality industry significantly contributes to increasing Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and boosting any country's economy. It involves many service sectors. Malaysia is one of those countries where the tourism and hospitality industry contributes majorly to increasing GDP growth.