MOTAC URGED TO CLAMP DOWN ON UNLICENSED, UNREGISTERED TOUR OPERATORS

News Date:  November 27, 2021

Media : New Straits Times

 

KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry (Motac) enforcement has been asked to investigate complaints of unlicensed and unregistered operators on the east coast of Semporna.

Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Jafry Ariffin in making the call said he views the matter seriously and wants the authorities to take immediate action before it poses a big problem to the tourism industry.

He was responding to a report made by the Semporna Professional Divers Association (SPDA) who highlighted the activities involving unlicensed and unregistered tour operators.

Its chairman Suzimin Edris said the unlicensed operators were compromising the visitors’ safety as those companies were likely to recruit inexperienced workers who might not be skilled with responding to emergency and first aid.

Besides that, the unregistered travel agents have lowered prices by up to half which causes losses to registered tour operators as tourists prefer cheaper packages.

Suzimin said after the Sabah government allowed inter-district and interstate travelling many irresponsible operators were found offering low rates for tourists.

Hence, Jafry reminded all registered travel agents to maintain the price of their holiday packages.

He told them to refrain from taking advantage to increase prices, especially at a time when domestic tourism is reviving.