Tan heads new tourism body
Published on: Thursday, December 21, 2023
By: Nikko Fabian
Tan said the federation fulfils a crucial role in the tourism industry by providing a platform for all member associations to come together and speak with a unified voice.
Kota Kinabalu: Former Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (Matta) head Datuk Tan Kok Liang now helms the Malaysian Tourism Federation (MTF) as of its first president.
MTF which began in February 2020 has garnered strong support from key stakeholders, with the blessing of former Minister of Tourism, Arts & Culture, Dato’ Sri Hajah Nancy Shukri the was nominated by Matta.
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MTF aims to unite individual independent National Tourism Associations under one umbrella, providing a unified voice and representation for the entire industry.
Joining Tan are representatives from various associations, including the Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH), Malaysia Budget & Business Hotel Association (MyBHA), Malaysian Inbound Chinese Association (MICA), Persatuan Syarikat Pengendalian Pelancongan Bumiputera (Bumitra), Malaysian Association Of Theme Park And Family Attractions (Matfa), Malaysian Chinese Tourism Association (MCTA), Malaysia Cruise Industry Association(MCIA), Malaysia Scuba Diving Association (MSDA), Association of Malaysian Spas (AMSPA) and Malaysian Indian Tour & Travel Association (Mitta).
It is understood that Tan would be inviting other tourism organisations to be members.
He said the federation fulfils a crucial role in the tourism industry by providing a platform for all member associations to come together and speak with a unified voice.
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When addressing government bodies, policymakers and other stakeholders, a unified representation ensures greater impact and effectiveness.
By pooling resources and expertise, the federation can tackle common challenges and issues facing the tourism industry, ultimately leading to the development of comprehensive solutions.
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The main roles and responsibilities of the Malaysian Tourism Federation (MTF) are:
- Realignment and Unified Representation: The federation is to consolidate the voice and representation of the tourism industry, ensuring that the diverse interests and priorities of individual associations are balanced for the greater benefit of the entire tourism industry.
- Collaborative Problem-Solving: By leveraging the combined resources and expertise of its member associations, the federation can address common challenges and find innovative solutions to maximize the growth and development of the tourism industry.
- Policy Advocacy: The federation to advocate for policies that contribute to the overall development of the tourism industry. This includes lobbying for favourable regulations, incentives, and infrastructure development that enhance the tourism environment and attract more visitors.
- Sharing Best Practices: The federation serves as a platform for member associations to exchange knowledge and best practices. This collaborative approach leads to improved operations and the overall growth of the industry.
- Marketing and Promotion: The federation will coordinate collective marketing and promotional campaigns to attract tourists, both domestically and internationally, and enhance the destination’s image. By pooling resources, marketing efforts become more impactful and effective.
- Crisis Management: During times of crisis, such as natural disasters or health emergencies, the federation will coordinate efforts to manage the impact on tourism and works towards a collective recovery strategy.
- Research and Data Sharing: The federation collects and disseminates industry data, fosters research collaborations, and provides valuable insights to inform decision-making processes.
- Stakeholder Engagement: The federation to collaborate with local communities, environmental organizations, and other industries to ensure sustainable tourism development that benefits all parties involved.
MTF is registered with the Registrar of Societies (ROS) under the Societies Act 1966 (Societies Regulations 1984) under the name of the Malaysian Tourism Federation (MTF) with the Registration No.
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