KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia’s tourism sector cannot operate in a state of uncertainty or under disproportionate regulatory burden, says Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing.
He said engagement sessions with industry players are crucial to understand ground realities and challenges faced by operators.
“Tourism is not just about arrival numbers or seasonal campaigns. It is an ecosystem that affects many livelihoods — from drivers and small operators to rural communities and B40 traders,” he said.
Among the key issues raised were the need to expedite amendments to existing laws and ensure fairer enforcement, particularly against unlicensed activities such as short-term rentals and illegal operators that undermine legitimate businesses and national revenue.
Industry players also called for clearer policies, a more balanced tourism market not overly dependent on one or two countries, and more aggressive promotion of new tourism products.
Tiong said concerns were also raised regarding tourism transport, excursion vehicles, drivers and tour guides, including inconsistent enforcement and unfair competition from digital platforms.
Niche sectors such as scuba diving, eco-tourism, birdwatching tourism, homestays and cultural community tourism highlighted the need for more practical licensing frameworks, training, promotion and support systems.
He stressed that enforcement must focus on unlicensed and harmful practices rather than penalising legitimate operators who comply with the law.
“We must protect small players, SMEs and local communities while ensuring the industry remains inclusive and sustainable,” he said.
Tiong added that discussions will continue on key matters including tourism transport, short-term accommodation, licensing, niche product promotion and cost burdens before any final decisions are made.
As Malaysia gears up for Visit Malaysia 2026, he emphasised that coordination between the Federal and State governments, as well as among ministries, is critical to ensure alignment with national objectives.
“Only through trust, transparency and continuous collaboration between the government and industry can we build a fair, resilient and sustainable tourism sector for the long term,” he said. -MalayaDailyToday
