Kota kinabalu: The Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia, Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing, has issued a warning that tour guides who engage in selling holiday packages will face stern repercussions, including the potential revocation of their licenses. This practice, he noted, leads to challenges such as unregulated pricing.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Tiong emphasized that individuals interested in selling tour packages should obtain a license to operate as tourism agents. He stressed the importance of ensuring that the packages offered are of genuine quality. This statement was made during an engagement session with Sabah’s tourism industry stakeholders.

Tiong encouraged tour guides to focus on delivering quality service by engaging with guests and providing knowledgeable explanations about the history of sites and buildings, as part of preparations for Visit Malaysia Year (VMY) 2026.

He also advised travel agencies and tour guides against restricting foreign tourists to certain destinations or shopping areas, underlining the importance of allowing visitors the freedom to choose their preferred destinations.

“This is crucial to maintaining the health of our tourism, arts, and culture sectors and preserving the country’s international reputation,” Tiong stated.

Furthermore, he reminded tourism operators to adhere to safety and operational guidelines, uphold professional standards, treat guests with respect, and foster positive collaborations.

“Malaysia is known globally as a welcoming destination for all visitors. We take pride in our natural beauty and cultural diversity, and we open our doors to tourists from every corner of the globe,” he remarked.

Tiong also mentioned that various suggestions and issues had been brought up by Sabah’s tourism industry players during the engagement session.