By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, July 5: Minister of Tourism, Arts, and Culture Malaysia, Dato Sri Tiong King Sing, has instructed the Islamic Tourism Centre (ITC) to work closely with relevant stakeholders to establish a clear minimum service standard and pricing framework for umrah packages.
In a Facebook post, he said that consumers deserve transparency and confidence that the services they pay for will be delivered, while responsible operators deserve a fair and sustainable business environment.
“I have also urged ITC, the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA), and tourism associations to strengthen collaboration in promoting Malaysia internationally and attracting more Muslim visitors to experience our culture, hospitality, and Muslim-friendly tourism offerings.
“Growing inbound tourism is a shared responsibility that contributes directly to our nation’s economy,” he said in his post, which followed his attendance at the officiation ceremony of the second edition of the MATTA Muslim Friendly Travel Fair (MFTF 2026) at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur on Saturday (July 4).
Meanwhile, Tiong, who is also Bintulu MP and Dudong assemblyman, said while Malaysia welcomes tourists and investors from around the world, everyone operating within its tourism industry must comply with Malaysian laws and regulations.
“We will continue to take firm action against illegal tour operators, unlicensed tour guides and any activities that undermine the integrity of our tourism sector,” he said.
Speaking on the travel fair, he said he witnessed firsthand how destinations are expanding halal dining options, prayer facilities, and Muslim-friendly services, which is a clear reminder that competition is intensifying, and Malaysia must continue to innovate and strengthen its competitiveness.
“Malaysia has built a strong Muslim-friendly tourism ecosystem, supported by halal-certified dining, prayer facilities, diverse tourism products, and our unique multicultural society. These strengths have earned Malaysia global recognition as one of the world’s preferred destinations for Muslim travellers.
“However, infrastructure alone is not enough. The industry must work together to maintain service quality, uphold professionalism and avoid unhealthy price competition that ultimately affects visitors’ experience and damages the country’s reputation,” he said. — DayakDaily
