Jafry at the meeting with Tiong.
KOTA KINABALU (Dec 20): Sabah Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment Datuk Jafry Ariffin held an official meeting on Saturday with Malaysia’s Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing to discuss various strategic issues related to the tourism sector in Sabah.
The meeting was also attended by Sabah Assistant Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment Dr Andi Rizal, and focused on issues that have a direct impact on the experience, safety and welfare of both domestic and international tourists visiting the state.
Among the key matters discussed were tourist safety issues, including compliance with Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for tourist boat transportation, scuba diving activities and water sports, as well as the condition of aging public tourism infrastructure that could potentially compromise visitor safety.
The discussion also touched on licensing and approval issues, involving unlicensed tour operators and guides, misuse of licences, operations without valid approvals, promotion of tour packages by unauthorised parties, as well as the unclear approval status of the construction of tourism premises such as hotels and resorts.
In addition, illegal or unauthorised tourism activities were given serious attention, including boat operations via illegal or unregistered jetties, misuse of social visit passes, unauthorised collection of island entrance fees, operations without local authority permits, use of unlicensed tourism vehicles, and tour guiding activities in prohibited areas.
During the meeting, MOTAC 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 the performance of Sabah’s tourism sector.
Jafry expressed confidence that a structured and focused collaborative approach between MOTAC and KEPKAS would have a significant positive impact on the management of the state’s tourism industry, while ensuring that the sector’s development is carried out in a sustainable, safe and competitive manner.
He also stressed that close cooperation between the Federal Government and the State Government is crucial in addressing issues related to domestic and international tourists visiting Sabah, as well as in safeguarding Sabah’s reputation as a high-quality, world-class tourism destination.
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