It depends on where the parks are located and how big they are. Currently, disinfecting and cleaning the parks 3 times a day is underway

by NUR HAZIQAH A MALEK/ pic by RAZAK GHAZALI

THEME parks, amusement centres and family attractions are experiencing a drop in visitorship between 20% and 40% due to Covid-19.

The Malaysian Association of Amusement Theme Park and Family Attractions president Tan Sri Datuk Richard CK Koh said the variant in numbers, however, depend on how well-known certain parks are.

“It really depends on where the parks are located and how big they are. For now, we are maintaining a three times a day routine of disinfecting and cleaning,” he said at the Cuti-Cuti Malaysia fair media briefing in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

Malaysia, poised to become the theme park capital in the Asean region, currently has over 20 theme parks and water parks.

Among the big names include Sunway Lagoon in Selangor, Lost World of Tambun in Ipoh, Perak, LegoLand and Adventure Waterpark Desaru Coast, both in Johor Baru, Johor.

Koh said despite the drop, the parks are still attracting a decent number of visitorship during the weekend.

To mitigate the drop in numbers, Koh said the association will be launching its inaugural pavilion at the Cuti Cuti Malaysia fair on April 4-5 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC).

The fair, which is open from 10am to 9pm, is expected to offer over 400 free tickets, lucky draw prizes and attractive discounts for visitors.

Visitors purchasing tickets of packages exceeding RM300 at the pavilion will be entitled to a lucky draw ballot with prizes that range from free admission passes to luxury staycation packages.

The Cuti Cuti Malaysia fair oversight chairman Rocky Kho said the fair will also be the first exclusive event to promote and sell domestic destinations to locals.

“Our yearly Matta Fair usually has domestic exhibitors too, but due to our circumstances today, caused by the outbreak, we have to promote our local destinations and postpone the yearly Matta Fair to May instead of the usual March.

“This time, we have around 231 booths to look forward to. We are expecting 40,000 to 50,000 visitors for both days and RM40 million in turnover for revenue sales throughout the fair,” he said.

Meanwhile, Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (Matta) CEO Phua Tai Neng said the agency is expected to meet the newly appointed Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri.

“Internally, we are still working to get an appointment with her to work details out together on possible changes. Right now we are focusing on the issues surrounding the outbreak and how to mitigate it.

“We were acquainted with her when she worked for the Prime Minister’s Office, and I’d say we as an association are happy for her appointment,” he said.