Safety for tourists must be at ‘optimum’ level – Mohamaddin

KUALA LUMPUR,: Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Mohamaddin Ketapi wants the country's tourism industry players, especially those involved in providing transport services for sight-seeing groups to place the safety of domestic and foreign tourists at “optimum” level.

“In taking into account that safety must be at its optimum level, tourists coming to this country will feel safe which will then provide a good image to the country's tourism sector.

“However, in order to have a good image, it (the responsibility) should not only be placed with industry players but with all relevant local authorities and residents who live in tourist areas.” he said when met after the question-and-answersession at the Dewan Negara yesterday.

He said the ministry would leave the matter to the relevant authorities regarding the investigation into the accident involving 18 South Korean tourists in Kota Belud, Sabah on Monday.

The 18 passengers were injured when the bus they were travelling in skidded and overturned while going downhill in Jalan Kelawat, Kota Belud.

Earlier, during the session, Mohamaddin said the government would present the National Tourism Policy and National Culture Policy to strengthen the status of tourism in the country next year.

He said the proposed polices which were still at the discussion stage involved stakeholder engagement sessions.

“In view of this, the ministry welcomes any ideas, opinions, and views by the senators in ensuring our tourism, art and culture sectors are enhanced, developed and admired in the eyes of the world,” he said.

He was responding to questions from Senator Datuk Seri Ti Lian Ker who wanted to know whether the ministry had a new policy and direction in strengthening the national tourism status as it greatly contributed to the national income. - Bernama