How Do We Go On Vacations When We're Broke, Tourism Minister?

The Tourism Minister wants us to spend our vacations within the country. That's good advice, for it serves to keep revenue within the country. But such vacations for a lot of Malaysians is increasingly becoming a thing of the past.

Those who travel abroad often are either wealthy or funded by employers or sponsors and are not likely to heed the minister's call. However those who do travel domestically are right now suffering from the effects of the fuel hike, electricity tariff rate increase and the subsequent rise in prices of almost all essentials. In this situation how do you expect them to travel, when even making ends meet is becoming a tough enough task?

The Minister says, “Our people are unaware that there are lots of places to visit in our country. We want our people to spend their vacations in Malaysia as we are worried that there are more Malaysians visiting other countries than foreign tourists coming to Malaysia.”

He said the ministry would re-examine its plans to encourage Malaysians to travel domestically. He said Malaysia has many attractive tourist destinations for people with different needs. He mentioned Gua Tempurung, Bukit Tinggi, Genting Highlands, Cameron Highlands and Fraser’s Hill as examples of excellent tourist spots.

Therefore the only way our increasingly impoverished populace is going to start travelling is, if more money is put into their pockets or if more can be saved with the introduction of less punishing fuel prices and utility rates. It's a vicious cycle and the government knows it. Only if and when we have spending money can we spend!!