(Kuching, 28th) Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing stated that any tour guide found illegally selling travel packages without authorization from licensed operators will face a “zero tolerance” policy, with no leniency from the government.
In a Facebook post on Thursday (November 27), he noted that such actions have undermined the integrity of the tourism industry. The Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (Motac) will not hesitate to revoke the licenses of those involved, emphasizing that ensuring tourist safety and upholding professional ethics remains the ministry’s top priority.
Tiong King Sing explained that he clarified this position during a tourism industry dialogue held earlier in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.
He pointed out that during the meeting, industry players raised several concerns, including the illegal sale of travel packages, foreign nationals operating in the tourism industry, tourist safety, licensing issues, and the urgent need to upgrade the government's digital platform.
He said: “I urge all tourism industry practitioners to continuously improve their service quality and hospitality standards, and to provide tourists with more competitive, meaningful, and trustworthy travel experiences.”
“Only through self-regulation within the industry and close cooperation with government agencies can Malaysia’s tourism ecosystem grow stronger, flourish, and achieve sustainable development,” he added.
On another note, Tiong King Sing, who is also the state assemblyman for Dudong and Member of Parliament for Bintulu, stated that once the new Sabah state government is in place, his ministry will also review several tourism-related issues involving the Sabah state government, as many matters require coordinated efforts and proper linkage among the relevant agencies.
In a Facebook post on Thursday (November 27), he noted that such actions have undermined the integrity of the tourism industry. The Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (Motac) will not hesitate to revoke the licenses of those involved, emphasizing that ensuring tourist safety and upholding professional ethics remains the ministry’s top priority.
Tiong King Sing explained that he clarified this position during a tourism industry dialogue held earlier in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.
He said: “I urge all tourism industry practitioners to continuously improve their service quality and hospitality standards, and to provide tourists with more competitive, meaningful, and trustworthy travel experiences.”
“Only through self-regulation within the industry and close cooperation with government agencies can Malaysia’s tourism ecosystem grow stronger, flourish, and achieve sustainable development,” he added.
On another note, Tiong King Sing, who is also the state assemblyman for Dudong and Member of Parliament for Bintulu, stated that once the new Sabah state government is in place, his ministry will also review several tourism-related issues involving the Sabah state government, as many matters require coordinated efforts and proper linkage among the relevant agencies.