news

Johor Plans To Lower Tax For Foreign Tourists At Theme Parks Amidst COVID-19 Outbreak

The decision was supposed to be announced by recently resigned Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad on 27 February.

Cover image via Makchic & SGMYTravel

Following the spread of #COVID-19, Johor might lower their foreign tax rates for their theme parks

State Tourism and Women, Family, and Community Development Committee chairman Liow Cai Tung said the matter on the decision was taken as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak, reported Bernama.

The decision was supposed to be announced by Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad on 27 February. However, following his resignation today, 24 February, it is not known who will make the announcement. 

Image via Makchic

Liow said the state government has taken several steps to attract tourists, such as by launching a publicity show and approaching social media influencers and bloggers to promote the theme parks

According to Bernama, Liow said, "The state government has launched a publicity roadshow with Tourism Johor for the Visit Johor Year with the 2020 Johor Malaysian Games (SUKMA) Secretariat in the focus area in Perak this month, and several states to promote Johor next month."

She said that industry players need to change their strategies in order to attract local tourists

Image via ZDNet

Liow mentioned that she has received feedback from the theme park industry players on the entertainment tax that will be imposed on foreign tourists.

"I have also raised this issue at the state executive council meeting and we will examine the decline in the number of tourists [after that] we will make a decision," she added at the Tourism Recovery Action Committee Town Hall on 23 February.

The Malaysian government hangs in limbo with the resignation of Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir today:

You may be interested in: