MOTAC, KEPKAS TO WORK CLOSELY TO BOOST SABAH TOURISM SECTOR

  KOTA KINABALU, Dec 20 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) has expressed its readiness to work closely with the Sabah Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment (KEPKAS) to strengthen the state’s tourism sector.

Sabah Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment Datuk Jafry Ariffin said the matter was discussed during his meeting with Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Datuk Tiong King Sing in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

Jafry said the discussion focused on issues that have a direct impact on the experience, safety and welfare of domestic and international tourists visiting Sabah.

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“Among the key matters discussed were tourist safety issues, including compliance with Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for tourist boat transport, scuba diving and water sports activities, as well as the condition of ageing public tourism infrastructure.

“Also raised were licensing and approval issues involving unlicensed tour operators and guides, licence misuse, operations without valid approval, and the promotion of tourism packages by unauthorised parties,” he said in a statement today.

Jafry said MOTAC had also expressed its readiness to work closely with KEPKAS to strengthen enforcement aspects, licensing coordination, information sharing and the implementation of strategic promotional initiatives to further boost Sabah’s tourism sector.

“Close cooperation between the Federal Government and the State Government is crucial in addressing issues related to domestic and international tourists visiting Sabah.

“It is also important to safeguard Sabah’s reputation as a high-quality, internationally recognised tourism destination,” he said.

-- BERNAMA