PETALING JAYA: Malaysia’s travel trade has welcomed the decision to allow Thai tourist buses into the country, but says the visitors must only patronise licensed hotels and employ local tour guides.
On Monday, transport minister Loke Siew Fook announced that Thai tourist buses are now permitted to enter Malaysia upon application to the Land Public Transport Agency (Apad).
However, Loke said vans from Thailand remain restricted because of concerns about them picking up passengers in Malaysia and affecting the local tourism industry.
Malaysian Tourist Guides Council (MTGC) president Jimmy Leong said allowing the buses to enter the country would bring in an influx of Thai tourists.
However, he said these coaches should only carry foreign tourists from Thailand accompanied by licensed Malaysian tourist guides, as it is a common practice internationally.
This would ensure that correct information is given to the visitors, and that help is available in case of emergencies.
Leong is confident that his council will be able to train more guides proficient in the Thai language to accommodate the increase in Thai visitors.
Malaysia Budget and Business Hotel Association (MyBHA) president Sri Ganesh Michel said Apad should verify where the visitors are staying when approving applications for the buses to enter Malaysia.
He said it is important that they stay in licensed hotels or accommodation and not opt for short-term rentals or unlicensed lodgings such as condos or rooms.
Sri Ganesh also said measures should be in place to prevent the Thai tourist buses from using Malaysia merely to transit to Singapore.
“We need to incentivise spending within Malaysia to boost our economy. We must ensure that the benefits of tourism flow back into our country,” he said. - FMT
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