Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Nancy Shukri said earlier this month that plans to revive tourism and cultural sectors through domestic tourism campaigns are beginning to show positive developments.

"In facing these challenges, my dedicated team in ministry and I will always look for the best initiatives and methods towards 'The Great Re-Set' to re-invigorate the tourism, arts and culture sectors, especially domestic tourism," she told media recently.

While the country's borders remained closed, it is important to find ways to survive the current difficulties while maintaining the interest of foreign tourists in Malaysia, said Mint Leong, deputy president of the Malaysian Inbound Tourism Association (MITA).

"While we prepare for borders to reopen, the industry is adopting a 'survival first, business later' approach through exploring new tourism products and packages for international tourists in the new normal," she said.

For Loh at the Jonker Street night market in Malacca, he was conscious that the recovery would take time. "I hope that the COVID-19 will go off and hope they (the government) will open foreign market, so people will come in," he said.