Implications of COVID-19 on tourism businesses in Malaysia: Evidence from a preliminary industry survey

The Movement Control Order (MCO) and travel restrictions to contain the COVID-19 pandemic have taken a toll on Malaysian tourism and hospitality businesses. Notably, the tourism business's disruption is likely to continue for many months to come or beyond, causing unrest to the Malaysian economic sustainability. This study aims to comprehend the current tourism business trends, the impacts, and the needs arising from the COVID-19 pandemic. Consequently, this study gauges the tourism industry's resilience and readiness amid the Malaysian government fiscal policies and Central Bank financial support. The pandemic's impact has been immediate, as respondents for this study reported a decrease in their tourism sales and revenue. Most respondents reacted positively to the government's support. However, they are still uncertain of the industry's future outlook. This study recommends that the Malaysian government provide industry players with additional and tailor-made financial measures to support the tourism industry efficiently. © The Author(s) 2021. This article is published with open access by Taylor's Press.