‘Zero tour fare’: Ministry needs solid evidence before taking action — DCM
KOTA KINABALU: Solid evidence is needed before action can be taken on local tour operators who offer 'zero tour fare' packages, said Deputy Chief Minister cum Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment, Datuk Christina Liew.
When asked if her ministry would work with the Ministry of Tourism and Culture (Motac) to revoke the licences of tour operators involved in such activities, Christina said action should not be taken before solid proof was acquired.
“We need solid proof. First, we advise them not to do so. If they refuse, we will decide on the next course of action. I do not wish to take drastic action just like that,” she said, when asked to comment after meeting with a delegation from the Kota Kinabalu Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KKCCCI) here yesterday.
Motac Sabah director Ag Ahmad Zaki Abu Bakar recently said that Sabah tour companies would no longer be allowed to offer zero fare tours in view of numerous problems and losses occurred by tour agents in the state.
He said a task force including representatives from Bank Negara, the Inland Revenue Board (IRB) and other agencies would be formed to stop the zero fare scheme.
Sabah Association of Tour and Travel Agents (Satta) president Datuk Seri Winston Liaw has also urged local tour operators who offered zero tour fare packages to stop such activities immediately pending a crackdown by Motac.
He said major industry players have unanimously agreed to cancel licences of local tour operators found to offer zero tour fare packages, if they did not stop immediately.
According to Liaw, 20 such operators have been identified based on Motac surveillance, most of which were owned by China companies.
He had described such activities as a ‘one dragon' operation where only the ‘head' and the ‘tail' profit, meaning the company who booked the tour and shopping centres visited by tourists, whereas local operators receiving tourists on the ground did not gain from this arrangement.