PETALING JAYA: A new guideline to regulate Short Term Residential Accommodation (STRA) will be presented to the Cabinet, says Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
The Deputy Prime Minister said the guidelines would provide a comprehensive framework for the regulation of STRA.
“The guideline is to ensure compliance to current laws, facilitate licensing processes and overcome issues in the community such as noise, lack of parking lots, garbage disposal and misuse of facilities,” he said.
Ahmad Zahid said this after chairing the Cabinet's tourism and cultural committee meeting in Parliament on Monday (Nov 25).
He said STRA operators would be required to register and obtain an operating license from the local authorities.
It was also proposed in the meeting that a digital platform for STRA management be developed to ensure that such facilities remain competitive.
He said this would also ensure public security is preserved and at the same time spur economic growth.
This is in view of the projection that alternative and affordable accommodation will be a catalyst for tourism with 35.6 million tourists expected to arrive in 2026, he said.
Ahmad Zahid said the government has also decided that the Transport Ministry, through Land Public Transport Agency (Apad) will regulate licensing for tour vehicles based on four criteria.
This includes ensuring the vehicles have valid Tour Operating Business and Travel Agency Business, have GPS, the vehicles must not be over 15 years old and operators must have undergone the Industrial Code of Practice (Icop).
“These conditions will ensure that the operators are operating legally and ensure the safety of passengers,” he said.
He said guidelines for a recreational vehicle park (RV Park) were also in the works.
Ahmad Zahid said the cooperation between the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry and other agencies is important to ensure a conducive ecosystem for the development of the tourism industry.
He said this will also ensure that any issues that erupt can be resolved immediately to prevent any confusion in terms of jurisdiction, regulation and enforcement to make the Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign a success.
