<p>Malaysia on Wednesday launched a 10-year plan to restart its battered tourism sector, which is estimated to have lost more than 100 billion ringgit ($24.61 billion) this year due to the coronavirus pandemic.</p>.<p>The Southeast Asian country had initially targeted 30 million tourist arrivals through its "Visit Malaysia 2020" programme, up from 28 million last year.</p>.<p>But the global pandemic has crippled the tourism industry, which in 2019 had contributed 240.2 billion ringgit, or 15.9% of Malaysia's gross domestic product, Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said.</p>.<p>Malaysia closed its borders to most foreigners in March, with entry strictly limited to business purposes, as part of restrictions imposed to stem the spread of the coronavirus.</p>.<p>That has helped to keep infections to less than 100,000 and Covid-19 deaths to just 439.</p>.<p>"Clearly, we have been impacted by the outbreak of the Covid-19 epidemic this year and economic activities related to the tourism industry... are being forced to face their most difficult moments," Muhyiddin said during a virtual launch of a national tourism policy for 2020-2030.</p>.<p>The policy would be focused on strengthening competitiveness, encouraging sustainable and inclusive tourism, as well as planning for future disasters, Muhyiddin said.</p>.<p>It also seeks to brand Malaysia as an ecotourism destination, with a commitment towards balancing the development and conservation of its natural environment and heritage, he said.</p>
<p>Malaysia on Wednesday launched a 10-year plan to restart its battered tourism sector, which is estimated to have lost more than 100 billion ringgit ($24.61 billion) this year due to the coronavirus pandemic.</p>.<p>The Southeast Asian country had initially targeted 30 million tourist arrivals through its "Visit Malaysia 2020" programme, up from 28 million last year.</p>.<p>But the global pandemic has crippled the tourism industry, which in 2019 had contributed 240.2 billion ringgit, or 15.9% of Malaysia's gross domestic product, Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said.</p>.<p>Malaysia closed its borders to most foreigners in March, with entry strictly limited to business purposes, as part of restrictions imposed to stem the spread of the coronavirus.</p>.<p>That has helped to keep infections to less than 100,000 and Covid-19 deaths to just 439.</p>.<p>"Clearly, we have been impacted by the outbreak of the Covid-19 epidemic this year and economic activities related to the tourism industry... are being forced to face their most difficult moments," Muhyiddin said during a virtual launch of a national tourism policy for 2020-2030.</p>.<p>The policy would be focused on strengthening competitiveness, encouraging sustainable and inclusive tourism, as well as planning for future disasters, Muhyiddin said.</p>.<p>It also seeks to brand Malaysia as an ecotourism destination, with a commitment towards balancing the development and conservation of its natural environment and heritage, he said.</p>