Kuala lumpur: The Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) has made an appeal to the government, urging the introduction of temporary fuel subsidies for tourism transport operators in response to the recent surge in fuel prices.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, MATTA president Nigel Wong expressed concerns that the increased fuel costs are poised to significantly impact the tourism sector. Wong highlighted that tourism transport operators in Malaysia play a crucial role in supporting both inbound and domestic tourism, often entering contractual agreements with travel agencies months in advance to provide transport services for tourists. With the recent hike in fuel prices, these operators are now grappling with substantially higher operating costs, affecting their financial sustainability.

Wong emphasized the importance of timely intervention to ensure these operators can continue to function effectively and support the broader tourism ecosystem. He noted that many operators have committed to fixed contract rates based on earlier fuel prices, and the sudden increase in fuel costs could lead to significant financial strain. Temporary assistance, he suggested, would help cushion the impact while safeguarding the sustainability of the tourism supply chain.

As Malaysia gears up for Visit Malaysia 2026, Wong stressed the critical need to sustain tourism transport services to maintain industry stability and enhance the country's competitiveness as a preferred tourism destination.

In addition to MATTA's call, the Malaysian Inbound Tourism Association (MITA) has also urged the government to provide immediate assistance to address the rising operational costs faced by tourism vehicle operators. MITA Vice-President for Transport, Logeswaran K. Sukumar, proposed several support measures, including special fuel subsidies and grants to offset operational losses due to higher fuel costs, as well as incentives for vehicle spare parts to reduce maintenance expenses.

Logeswaran expressed his belief that with government support, the tourism transport industry can continue to survive and contribute to the national tourism sector and Malaysia's economy, especially as Visit Malaysia 2026 approaches.