Great deals: Large crowds visiting the MATTA Fair at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (Mitec) Kuala Lumpur. — YAP CHEE HONG/The Star
KUALA LUMPUR: Tour operators and guides will be given licences for five years, an increase from the current three years.
The Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry has agreed to extend the validity period of those licences, says its minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing.
He, however, reminded the tour operators and guides to comply with the regulations set by the ministry.
“If they fail to adhere to the rules, the ministry will cancel their licences or reduce their tenure,” he told reporters after launching the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) Fair here yesterday, reported Bernama.
The ministry is responsible for enforcing the Tourism Industry Act 1992 (Act 482), which includes licensing tour operators under Section 5 and tour guides under Section 21.
On another matter, Tiong said the ministry and Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) are looking into the proposed closure of Jalan Alor in Bukit Bintang here to traffic from 5pm to 2am.
He added that this is due to the many complaints received from visitors and pedestrians who are concerned about their safety when they are in the area, which is always clogged with vehicles passing through the street.
“Besides, we want to upgrade Jalan Alor, making it more like a tourist place. We want to create more outlets as a tourist spot,” he said.
MATTA Fair is being held at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (Mitec) for three days from yesterday.
Meanwhile, Sabah minister Datuk Christina Liew said the state government is targeting the arrival of 2.2 million domestic and international visitors this year, in line with the launch of its new tourism slogan “Feel Sabah, North Borneo”.
Liew, who is in charge of tourism, culture and environment, said that in a bid to achieve that target, her ministry will use ehailing vehicles to promote Sabah tourism.
“We just opened the border, so for the time being, our target is about 2.2 million arrivals and we hope to reach the target; the more the merrier.
“Compared to the pre-pandemic scenario, before we closed the border, the total arrivals in Sabah was 4.25 million,” she told reporters after the launch of Sabah Tourism’s new tagline at the MATTA Fair.
At the event, she also visited the Sabah pavilion and flagged off a convoy of 10 out of 100 ehailing vehicles, which have been attached with the “Feel Sabah, North Borneo” stickers that will take to the roads around the Klang Valley for three months for promotional purposes.
Liew said the “Feel Sabah, North Borneo” tagline is also to restore the history of Sabah, previously known as North Borneo and is now part of Malaysia.
“We are bringing people back to the history of Sabah and to feel the North Borneo ecotourism that we are offering.
“I believe many among the younger generation may not be aware of Sabah’s historical and colourful past.
“So while they enjoy Sabah’s beautiful nature, warm hospitality, cultural heritage and iconic wildlife, they also get to experience treasures of yesteryear such as antiques dating back to the North Borneo era.
“Furthermore, this emphasises our geographical location as a Malaysian state on the northern part of the Borneo Island,” she added.
