Government to Intensify Enforcement Against Unlicensed Tourism Activities
KUALA LUMPUR: The government will prioritise enforcement actions against unlicensed tourism activities that have disrupted industry balance, harmed legitimate operators and affected national revenue.
Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Tiong King Sing said the tourism sector cannot continue operating under unclear regulations and uneven enforcement practices.
He noted that complaints related to unlicensed short-term accommodation, illegal tour operators and non-compliant practices have frequently been raised during industry engagement sessions with the Kementerian Pelancongan, Seni dan Budaya Malaysia.
“These engagement sessions allow us to understand the real challenges faced by industry players on the ground,” he said.
“Enforcement must focus on illegal activities that harm the industry, not penalise compliant operators who already bear high regulatory costs,” he added.
Fairer and More Balanced Regulation
Tiong said the ministry is strengthening enforcement mechanisms while accelerating legislative amendments and policy improvements to create a more organised and sustainable tourism ecosystem.
According to him, the approach aims to ensure transparency, fairness and long-term stability in the sector.
He stressed that other industry concerns will continue to be addressed through ongoing dialogue with relevant stakeholders.
Key issues include the need for clearer tourism policies, efforts to diversify source markets, and more targeted promotion of new tourism products.
Protecting Industry Welfare
Tiong also highlighted challenges related to tourism transport services, tour vehicles, tour guides and growing competition from digital platforms.
He said the welfare of affected operators must be safeguarded to ensure business continuity and service quality.
Specialised sectors such as diving, eco-tourism, community tourism, homestays and cultural tourism have also called for more practical licensing systems, training programmes and promotional support.
The minister emphasised the importance of coordination between the Federal Government and state authorities to ensure consistent policy implementation nationwide.
Looking ahead to Visit Malaysia Year 2026, Tiong said closer cooperation between the government and industry players will remain crucial in building a resilient, fair and competitive tourism sector for the country.
-wilayah.com.my
