KUALA LUMPUR: All ministries and tourism-related agencies have been urged to strengthen collaboration, particularly with the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) as the lead agency in the tourism sector, to elevate tourism as a strategic national agenda. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, in a statement today, highlighted the importance of the tourism industry as a key driver of national development.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Ahmad Zahid emphasized the necessity of close cooperation among ministries and agencies to create a conducive ecosystem for the rapid and competitive growth of the tourism industry. This collaboration is expected to address emerging issues promptly and prevent confusion regarding jurisdiction, regulation, and enforcement, especially in ensuring the success of the Visit Malaysia Year 2026 campaign.
Ahmad Zahid, who also chairs the Cabinet Committee on Tourism and Culture (JKPK), made these remarks after chairing the committee’s third meeting of the
year. He noted that MOTAC and the Ministry of Transport (MOT) had engaged in discussions concerning the operation of tour buses, including addressing road accidents involving foreign nationals and establishing standard operating procedures (SOPs) for efficient incident response.
The government has tasked MOT, through the Land Public Transport Agency (APAD), with regulating the licensing of tourism vehicles based on four key criteria: a valid Tourism Operating Business and Travel Agency (TOBTAB) licence, installation of a global positioning system (GPS), adherence to a 15-year maximum vehicle age limit, and mandatory attendance of operators at the Industrial Code of Practice (ICOP) Safety training. These measures aim to ensure legal operation while guaranteeing passenger safety.
Ahmad Zahid also announced that new guidelines would be presented at the Cabinet meeting to establish a comprehensive framework for regulating short-term rental accommodation (STRA) activities. These guidelines are designed to ensure
compliance with current laws, streamline the licensing process, and address community concerns such as noise and parking shortages.
STRA, offering affordable accommodation alternatives, is projected to drive tourism growth, with expectations of 35.6 million tourist arrivals by 2026. Operators will be required to register and obtain operating licences from local authorities. A dedicated digital platform for STRA management is proposed to enhance Malaysia’s competitiveness in the tourism sector while ensuring community welfare and sustainable economic growth.
Furthermore, Ahmad Zahid mentioned that planning guidelines for Recreational Vehicle (RV) Parks are being developed to bolster Malaysia’s tourism sector through strategic planning and integrated regulation. The guidelines will outline comprehensive planning frameworks, including site requirements and operational management, with potential pilot locations identified in Rompin and Sepang. This initiative, utilizing the MYCSRVP platform, supports sustainabl
e tourism and empowers local economies.