The government is open to the possibility of opening special lanes to allow international business travelers to enter the country for meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE).

Tourism, arts, and culture minister Nancy Shukri said that while such international events are still not allowed, the ministry is still working to ensure the country will be able to welcome travelers from the sector when border restrictions are loosened.

“So, special lanes are already being discussed. They are already there at the airport, so that’s why we need to discuss further with immigration,” she said.

“Once this (MICE travel) is allowed, we will be able to make use of the special lanes for our business delegates.”

While international MICE events are still now allowed, the local sector reopened last month. In MCO areas, they could use 25% of a premises’ capacity or a maximum of 250 people. MICE events in conditional MCO areas were subject to a 50% capacity while in recovery MCO areas, the restriction depended on the size of the premise.

Nancy was speaking at a press conference after the Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB) launched its business events strategic marketing plan 2021-2030 at a hotel here.