Kira, who prefers to not disclose her full name, usually rents out vacation homes in Kuala Lumpur. Before COVID-19 it was a thriving business. After all, her home country is not only known for its rainforests, gorgeous beaches and picturesque islands — travelers have long been drawn to its capital, Kuala Lumpur. Among the city’s most popular attractions are the famous 451-meter-high (1230 ft.) Petronas Twin Towers.
But instead of the hoped-for influx of tourists, the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic came in 2019. Since then, things have looked rather bleak for Kira, as well as for many of the 3.5 million people in Malaysia who depend on the tourism industry. “I have hardly any bookings and when I do, it’s only for a few days. These are mostly business people or some locals who might be visiting family in town,” she tells DW. Before the pandemic, her apartments were always fully booked. More than…