KUCHING, Feb 16: The Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture (Motac) reaffirms its position to allow foreign tourists to shop freely in Malaysia.
Its minister, Dato Sri Tiong King Sing, reiterated that a circular will be issued soon to provide guidance to travel companies or agencies, and that MOTAC and its agencies will hold discussions and dialogue sessions with industry players before the circular is issued to ensure that the policy takes into account the interests of all parties.
“Motac reaffirms its stance to give freedom to foreign tourists to shop in Malaysia.
“Following my recent media statement dated Feb 11, 2023 regarding shopping activities on foreign tourists’ itineraries in Malaysia, I received a variety of responses,” Tiong stated on his Facebook page yesterday.
He also emphasised that neither he nor Motac have ever issued a statement prohibiting any travel agency from taking foreign tourists to any centre or shopping area in the country; in fact, it strongly encourages tourists to shop, particularly for Malaysian products such as handicrafts and so on.
Tiong who is also the Bintulu MP, explained he was responding to requests and complaints from foreign tourists who claim they were only taken to one or two tourist destinations before being taken to shopping places throughout the country.
He said that before deciding to visit Malaysia, most of them intended to visit interesting, historic, and beautiful tourist destinations in Malaysia as shown in promotional videos.
He also stressed that tourists should be given the freedom to visit or shop at any centre or shopping place they want, without being bound by the regulations imposed by the travel agencies that manage them during their stay in Malaysia.
“This is important because we want to ensure that the tourism, art, and culture industries are not tainted by unsavoury practices that seek to tarnish the country’s image in the eyes of the world.
“Therefore, I want Motac agencies to maintain close relationships with all parties in the tourism industry and to hold regular engagement sessions in order to achieve effective and holistic solutions.
“Certainly, I and the Motac leadership will accept all points of view and criticism in order to improve what is lacking for the benefit of the industry and the country as a whole,” he added.
Tiong also stated that he understood the importance of the economic sector through shopping activities, particularly those involving foreign tourists.
“Each time tourists make a purchase, they will contribute to the economic growth of the country.
“Allow them to use their buyer’s power freely, without being constrained by the stipulations or ‘mandatory conditions’ imposed during their stay in Malaysia,” he added. — DayakDaily
