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MELAKA (Bernama): The standardization of various issues involving the hotel sector and Airbnb, such as regulations and taxes, will be finalized soon, says the minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Economy) Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed (Photo).
He said the move was to breathe new life into the tourism industry, especially hotel operators, who are more affected than Airbnb operators by the Covid-19 pandemic as they are subject to regulations.
It is also part of the government’s efforts to help revive the tourism sector to restore the country’s economy, he added.
He said discussions on the issue were ongoing between the Ministry of Tourism, Art and Culture, the Ministry of Housing and Local Government and the state governments, with a committee chaired by the Chief Secretary of the Government, Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali, in charge to solve the problems.
“In business, we have the concept of ‘level playing field’, which means we have to be fair to everyone.
“So if one component is subject to various rules while another sector is not, of course this is not fair,” he said at a press conference after a dinner and discussion with stakeholders from the tourism industry in Bandar Hilir here last night (September 13).
Also present were the Chief Minister of Melaka, Datuk Seri Sulaiman Md Ali, the Secretary of State Datuk Seri Hasim Hasan and the chairman of the State Committee for Tourism, Heritage and Culture, Datuk Jailani Khamis.
Mustapa also said the government was in the final stages of considering requests for appropriations under the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) from the states.
Citing Melaka as an example, he said the state had requested RM100,000 for a cable car development project and RM25,000 for the maintenance of various tourist destinations.
The matter will be discussed with the Finance Minister and the Prime Minister before any decision is made, he added. – Bernama
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