Kota Kinabalu: The Sabah Association of Tour and Travel Agents (Satta) has asked the Federal Government to decentralise tourism operations in Sabah. Doing so would allow Sabah to better solve its own problems, said Chairman Dato’ Seri Winston Liaw.
He said Satta is prepared to lend a hand if the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (Motac) is short of manpower.
He made the suggestion following concerns voiced by Federal Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing who led a joint inspection operation in Tawau.
Tiong outlined 10 problems discovered during the two-day operation which included checks on 30 tourist buses and vehicles, 15 tourism business premises, 40 boats and four jetties, resulting in summonses for nine offences.
To address the issue of licensed tour companies renting out their licences to foreign investors, Liaw suggested that industry players provide tip-offs on such activities and that enforcement be carried out through surprise checks to determine whether foreign operators are working with valid permits.
“If under one company many permits are issued to foreigners, we should interview the management of the company together with the permit holders,” he said.
On licensed tourism companies forming joint ventures with unlicensed operators, he said it is necessary to review their JV terms and conditions.
“Non-licensed companies or individuals can only assist in marketing to promote our destinations, but they cannot be involved in daily operations,” he said.
On tour guides misusing the free tourism visas to engage in business operations in Sabah, Liaw said this is not allowed as tourists are prohibited from conducting business activities.
“The government should carry out frequent checks to catch these violations and take them to court.
“Stringent action should be enforced through heavy fines and detention. Once proven, they should be blacklisted and barred from entering Sabah,” he said.
On diving sessions involving illegal fishing using spearguns, he said such activities are extremely dangerous to normal divers and should be penalised under criminal laws as they endanger tourists.
On unregistered boats using jetties or piers, he said these boats should be confiscated once caught, including cancellation of their licences. Boat operators should also face heavy fines and suspension of their licences.
He also urged the government to refurbish dilapidated piers and jetties with modern facilities to provide safety and convenience for tourists.
He called on the government to hold regular dialogue sessions with industry players and tourism associations to improve the management of tourist boat and ferry operations.
He also urged the government to hold regular dialogues with water village resorts that failed to adhere to government instructions.
“If they do not follow the rules, once caught, stringent action should be taken including cancellation of their licences after repeated offences,” Liaw said.
On the illegal collection of island entrance fees, he said it amounts to daylight robbery as the assets belong to the government, not individuals, and strict enforcement should be taken.
On illegal white vans operating without local guides and selling tour packages, he said this practice has been rampant and repeatedly raised by express bus operators and licensed guides.
“The government should call JPJ and Motac for frequent dialogues and enforcement operations with both departments present.
“Catch these violators and charge the owners of the white vans, Vellfires or Alphards in court. Enforce stringent actions including cancellation of their vehicle licences, road tax and driving licences.
“Create public awareness of the actions to be taken and the serious consequences,” he said.
He said Satta is prepared to lend a hand if the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (Motac) is short of manpower.
He made the suggestion following concerns voiced by Federal Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing who led a joint inspection operation in Tawau.
Tiong outlined 10 problems discovered during the two-day operation which included checks on 30 tourist buses and vehicles, 15 tourism business premises, 40 boats and four jetties, resulting in summonses for nine offences.
To address the issue of licensed tour companies renting out their licences to foreign investors, Liaw suggested that industry players provide tip-offs on such activities and that enforcement be carried out through surprise checks to determine whether foreign operators are working with valid permits.
“If under one company many permits are issued to foreigners, we should interview the management of the company together with the permit holders,” he said.
On licensed tourism companies forming joint ventures with unlicensed operators, he said it is necessary to review their JV terms and conditions.
“Non-licensed companies or individuals can only assist in marketing to promote our destinations, but they cannot be involved in daily operations,” he said.
On tour guides misusing the free tourism visas to engage in business operations in Sabah, Liaw said this is not allowed as tourists are prohibited from conducting business activities.
“The government should carry out frequent checks to catch these violations and take them to court.
“Stringent action should be enforced through heavy fines and detention. Once proven, they should be blacklisted and barred from entering Sabah,” he said.
On diving sessions involving illegal fishing using spearguns, he said such activities are extremely dangerous to normal divers and should be penalised under criminal laws as they endanger tourists.
On unregistered boats using jetties or piers, he said these boats should be confiscated once caught, including cancellation of their licences. Boat operators should also face heavy fines and suspension of their licences.
He also urged the government to refurbish dilapidated piers and jetties with modern facilities to provide safety and convenience for tourists.
He called on the government to hold regular dialogue sessions with industry players and tourism associations to improve the management of tourist boat and ferry operations.
He also urged the government to hold regular dialogues with water village resorts that failed to adhere to government instructions.
“If they do not follow the rules, once caught, stringent action should be taken including cancellation of their licences after repeated offences,” Liaw said.
On the illegal collection of island entrance fees, he said it amounts to daylight robbery as the assets belong to the government, not individuals, and strict enforcement should be taken.
On illegal white vans operating without local guides and selling tour packages, he said this practice has been rampant and repeatedly raised by express bus operators and licensed guides.
“The government should call JPJ and Motac for frequent dialogues and enforcement operations with both departments present.
“Catch these violators and charge the owners of the white vans, Vellfires or Alphards in court. Enforce stringent actions including cancellation of their vehicle licences, road tax and driving licences.
“Create public awareness of the actions to be taken and the serious consequences,” he said.
