Malaysians may soon be able to pack their bags and leave their cabin fever behind! While the recently launched “travel bubble” pilot programme heralds hope for the local tourism industry, vaccinated individuals will have another benefit to look forward to — an array of exclusive accommodation perks and deals under Agoda’s “Vaxxed To Go” campaign.
Vaxxed To Go was specially designed to promote “vaxications” for Malaysians who are vaccinated and ready to get back to travel. This Vaxxed To Go campaign will offer unique packages to be used as domestic travel restrictions are lifted. Each of these travel packages comes with two or more value-added benefits, making the accommodation plus packages great value deals. These added benefits give vaccinated guests an even more relaxing stay, and range from priority check-ins, early check-ins or late check-outs; a variety of food and beverage discounts; and unique on-site experiences such as spa and wellness deals.
These special travel deals and benefits are available via the Vaxxed To Go platform, and in order to protect both accommodation staff and guests, are only available to travellers who can prove to the hotel at check-in that they are fully vaccinated as defined by Malaysian regulations. At present, the COVID-19 Immunisation Task Force (CITF) deems “fully vaccinated” individuals as those who have received two doses of the Pfizer, AstraZeneca and Sinovac vaccines more than 14 days prior. Meanwhile, individuals who have received single-dose vaccines such as Cansino would be considered fully inoculated 28 days after they have received the jab.
The Vaxxed To Go stay period for these special deals will be from now till June 2022, and travellers can be assured of flexible booking arrangements with Agoda’s EasyCancel options, which allow guests to cancel or amend their travel arrangements up to 24 hours before check-in.
Beyond promoting responsible travel, Agoda is also directly aiding humanitarian initiatives aimed at improving inoculation rates in the country. For every booking made under Vaxxed To Go, Agoda will contribute RM50, with a maximum donation of RM125,000 to the Malaysian Red Crescent Society’s (MRCS) vaccination programme, which reaches out to marginalised communities across the country. Through this donation, Agoda hopes to support MRCS’ objective of leaving no one behind in their vaccination efforts.
“We hope to play a role in reviving the domestic travel industry which has been one of the hardest-hit economic sectors following the pandemic by providing exciting and great value deals to encourage vaccinated people to travel safely again,” says Cleland Robertson, Country Director, Malaysia and Brunei, Agoda.
Vaxxed To Go is an extension of the Agoda Special Offers offering, which was launched in May in several other markets. With Malaysia as its pilot market for the campaign, Agoda aims to roll out Vaxxed To Go in more markets in the months to come.
As of 21st Sept 2021, around 57.1% of the Malaysian population had been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, with 67.7% having received their first vaccine dose. Amid these promising inoculation rates, the government began its pilot “travel bubble” with Langkawi on 16th September, with plans to allow more destinations to operate once the locality’s vaccination rate has reached 80%.
Meanwhile, Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri announced that Genting Highlands (Pahang), Melaka and Tioman Island (Pahang) will join Malaysia’s domestic travel bubble and may reopen to visitors on the 1st of October.
