Friday, June 17, 2016
By Olivia Miwil
olivia@nst.com.my
SABAH TOURISM: They put state's reputation at risk, says minister.
KOTA KINBALU: Illegal tour operators are putting the reputation of the tourism industry at risk in Sabah.
Tourism has been tremendous growth in the state. However, state Tourism, Culture and Environment minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun yesterday said when bad incidents occurred involving illegal operators, the reputation of Sabah as a tourist hotspot would be seen in a bad light.
"We need to ensure sustainability in this industry and cannot afford to put our reputation at risk," he said during a seminar and forum on enforcement in the tourism industry, attended by over 200 hoteliers, operators and guides.
Two key issues that were discussed in the one-day programme were unlicensed tour vehicles, or "white vans", and tour guides.
Masidi said the tourism industry needed all the help it could get, but not from those who did not play by the book.
He also said the authorities had made an effort to reach out to illegal tour operators by persuading them to apply for permits or licenses to run their businesses legitimately.
"On the part of the authorities, particularly the Federal Tourism and Culture Ministry, action will be taken to continue tracking down 'white van' operators, unlicensed guides and tour boats."
The state government would propose schemes to make it easier for individuals to set up businesses or acquire tour guides licenses, Masidi said.
Present were state Federal Tourism Ministry director Awang Ahmad Zaki Abu Bakar and Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents inbound vice-president Datuk KL Tan.
By Olivia Miwil
olivia@nst.com.my
SABAH TOURISM: They put state's reputation at risk, says minister.
KOTA KINBALU: Illegal tour operators are putting the reputation of the tourism industry at risk in Sabah.
Tourism has been tremendous growth in the state. However, state Tourism, Culture and Environment minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun yesterday said when bad incidents occurred involving illegal operators, the reputation of Sabah as a tourist hotspot would be seen in a bad light.
"We need to ensure sustainability in this industry and cannot afford to put our reputation at risk," he said during a seminar and forum on enforcement in the tourism industry, attended by over 200 hoteliers, operators and guides.
Two key issues that were discussed in the one-day programme were unlicensed tour vehicles, or "white vans", and tour guides.
Masidi said the tourism industry needed all the help it could get, but not from those who did not play by the book.
He also said the authorities had made an effort to reach out to illegal tour operators by persuading them to apply for permits or licenses to run their businesses legitimately.
"On the part of the authorities, particularly the Federal Tourism and Culture Ministry, action will be taken to continue tracking down 'white van' operators, unlicensed guides and tour boats."
The state government would propose schemes to make it easier for individuals to set up businesses or acquire tour guides licenses, Masidi said.
Present were state Federal Tourism Ministry director Awang Ahmad Zaki Abu Bakar and Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents inbound vice-president Datuk KL Tan.
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