KOTA KINABALU: Tourism entrepreneurs in Sabah hope Budget 2023 will see larger allocations for tourism and another loan moratorium to help travel and tour operators who are struggling.
Sabah Tourism Association chairman Tony Chew said with tourism getting back to normal around the world, it’s time to boost the sector’s growth here. He added that Sabah is also hoping for a return to its status as one of the biggest contributors to the country’s tourism industry.
However, to achieve that, Chew said that industry players need financial assistance in the form of “friendly” loan packages.
“What’s the point of reopening borders and allowing tourists to enter if these tour operators and related businesses cannot provide their services because they don’t have the funds, for example, to recruit more people or renew permits and insurance?” he said.
The tourism industry was one of the worst hit by the travel restrictions imposed during the pandemic.
Chew called for the government to provide a large amount of money to help the tourism industry, saying that it would pay great dividends in the long run.
“The whole world will travel again, so the money spent by the government will definitely be recovered. It’s a win-win situation for the government and the tourism sector,” he said.
“We don’t expect the government to spoon-feed us, but we need more help to return to the levels we were at before the pandemic.”
Meanwhile, Sabah Travel and Tourism Agencies Association president Winston Liaw said he believes that giving incentives and subsidies to industry players will do more for the sector than large allocations for tourism promotion.
He added that the state should focus on attracting high-income tourists, especially foreigners interested in the health and wellness aspect of tourism.
Meanwhile, on the issue of loan moratoriums, Liaw hoped the government would extend it for tourism industry players for another six months.
According to Liaw, only 30% of Sabah’s tourism industry players have recovered from the pandemic.
He said that while tour operators are now up and running again, he said many players have a tough time staying afloat.
“This is because banks are pressuring industry players to repay loans, and they are unable to do so due to many other commitments,” he said.
“This year is actually much more difficult than 2020 and 2021.”
Budget 2023 will be tabled on Oct 7. - FMT
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