Govt urged to review rules governing local tourism industry

PETALING JAYA: It is high time the Government review and amend the rules and regulations governing the tourism industry, say local tourism industry players.

Malaysia Tourism Council president Uzaidi Udanis said the current rules and regulations for the tourism industry were not in keeping with current times and were burdening industry players.

He said some of the rules and regulations that were in place limit local industry players’ ability to compete with those of neighbouring countries.

“For example, there needs to be more flexibility on the type of vehicles we can use so we can tap into all types of sectors,” he said.

“The market for tourism industry is very dynamic. So we need to match tourist vehicles to every level (of tourists). If they are going to a five-star hotel, can we just use a simple van?” he asked.

He said current regulations also did not cover other types of recreational vehicles, which could affect the safety of tourists.

He was speaking at a press conference held after a one-day engagement programme by Tourism Productivity Nexus, under the Malaysia Productivity Corporation (MPC), for industry players here yesterday.

Industry players at the programme, he said, would compile feedback and suggestions on the local tourism industry and they would be submitted to the International Trade and Industry Ministry, of which MPC is under, next month.