Allocation will boost rural tourism, says Matta

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (Matta) is delighted that 2018 Budget has given recognition to tourism’s potential to generate wealth for the country.

Matta president Datuk Tan Kok Liang said the association was delighted that 2020 was declared as the next Visit Malaysia Year (VMY), as Matta had targeted for 36 million visitors and RM168 billion tourism receipts by 2020.

Major events, such as the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec), Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) and World Congress on Information Technology (WCIT), have been lined up in conjunction with VMY 2020.

Tan said Matta had proposed funding for capacity building in the travel sector, and that RM2 billion was allocated to SMEs for training programmes, grants and soft loans under SME Corp.

“The allocation of RM500 million on infrastructure development will strengthen rural tourism and homestays, including ecotourism facilities like jetties, toilets and signage.

“This is a good challenge for the tourism industry to be driven by the private sector, improving fleet modernisation, infrastructure development in resorts, lodges, tour products and digital marketing,” he said yesterday.

He added that Matta had also asked that incentives given to inbound and domestic tour operators be continued and to ease conditions to help new and small players, as many were Bumiputera companies.

“We are grateful that our proposal has been granted.”

Tan said the eVisa regional hub expansion was certain to attract more visitors from countries with access to the facility.

He said the upgrading of international airports in Penang and Langkawi, and domestic airports in Kota Baru, Mukah and Sandakan, would ensure greater comfort and convenience for air travellers.

“As safety and security are paramount, allocating RM250 million to Esscom (Eastern Sabah Security Command) is essential for the safety and security of tourism and economic activities in the East Coast of Sabah, which is experiencing an influx of China tourists, especially to Semporna.”

Tan said with the completion of the West Coast Expressway linking Banting with Taiping and making Lumut within 90 minutes of Kuala Lumpur, Pangkor’s tourism was set for expansion and would now boom with its duty-free status, like Langkawi and Labuan.

“But developments must be properly planned and controlled, and pristine parts of the island maintained for tourism to be sustainable, as the island is much smaller than Langkawi or Penang. It is a haven for ecotourism.”