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.
By Sarah Razif — 24 Feb 2020, 07:22 PM
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.
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
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.
