Matta directs members: Give full refund

Kota Kinabalu: The Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (Matta) will direct members to extend full refund to climbers whose mountain climbing packages were cancelled from June 5 to Aug 31.

Matta Vice-President (Inbound) Datuk Tan Kok Liang said travel agents should not impose any cancellation charges as the service provider, Sutera Sanctuary Lodges, had confirmed full refund to its customers.

He also reminded members to stay united and help rebuild the local tourism industry.

“Giving full refund strengthens our professionalism and moral ethics as the cancellations are beyond our control due to the recent earthquake which hit Mount Kinabalu on June 5,” he said in a statement here Tuesday.

He said those Matta members who declined to cooperate might be queried by the licensing division of the Tourism and Culture Ministry.

“This is not the time to impose cancellation policies.” The decision was made after a briefing chaired by Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun.

Also present, among others, were State Parks Director Dr Jamili Nais, State Tourism Board General Manager Datuk Irene Charuruks and Sutera Sanctuary Lodges General Manager Ravi Karthiravelu.

In the same statement, Ravi said they were in the midst of processing the refunds which would be given in full but on staggered basis.

Meanwhile, Jamili said the rehabilitation and repair works would commence soon, adding, however, that business was normal for other tour packages to Kinabalu National Park and Poring Hot Springs.

Source: Daily Express