Sabah needs tourism licensing power: DCM
Published on: Monday, December 02, 2019
By: Neil Chan
Liew and others in a group photo with STA 2019 Award winners.
Kota Kinabalu: Sabah Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment hoped the request for devolution of power from the Federal Government to approve and issue five types of tourism licences, which has been put on hold, will bear fruit.Its Minister Datuk Christina Liew said the request made through the federal Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (Motac) would enable Sabah to approve applications for tourism-related licensing and to issue licences.ADVERTISEMENT
“I had urged the Federal Government to empower Sabah to approve and issue five types of tourism licences.
“These are the entry and exit licence for tourism agents, licence for tourist guides, licence for tourism vehicles, ticket licensing, and licence to manage tourism training schools or institutions,” she said in her speech in conjunction with the 12th Sabah Tourism Awards 2019, here, Saturday night.
However, she said she received a written reply from Motac that the devolution of power to the State has yet to be implemented since matters in connection with the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) are still under negotiation.
Liew said if Motac granted licensing autonomy to Sabah, the move would boost tourism and enhance efficiency of the industry’s service delivery system.
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“In short, my request for devolution of power in this respect has been put on hold subject to the finalisation of devolution of power based on the MA63 which is still under negotiation. I keep my fingers crossed and hope it bears fruit,” she said.
Meanwhile, Liew urged industry players present at the event to foster good working relationship and complement each other in their offerings.
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She said her ministry welcomed feedback to continuously improve the booming industry.
“Let’s work together to solve our challenges amicably. We have been blessed with positive arrivals overall. And the increase in arrivals has allowed for various areas to be developed.”
She said a good example is the development of touristic areas beyond Kota Kinabalu and other better-known locations, and new opportunities have allowed community-based tourism to evolve, benefiting rural entrepreneurs.
There were 33 categories and Liew presented to the winner for Special Minister Awards won by Guangzhou World International Travel Co; Tham Yau Kong; Albert Teo and Clement Lee.
The other awards including the Best Partner Airlines under the Malaysian Based Category won by AirAsia; China Southern Airlines and Easter Jet won the Best Partner under the Foreign-based category.
Meanwhile, Best Tour Operator Inboud (Malaysia/Sabah) award was won by Pelancongan Taikar Worldmart Sdn Bhd; Best Overseas Tour Operator-China category, won by Guangdong China Women International Travel Services Co. Ltd.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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