The Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture (Motac) in collaboration with the state’s stakeholders held a special meeting to address accidents involving tourists in Sabah.
This was following over 13 cases have been reported, includes the capsizing of a boat in Timba-Timba Island and a drowning incident involving foreign tourists in Kudat in July, recently.
Tourism, Culture and Arts Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing who chaired the meeting emphasized that this is an urgent issue that needs to be addressed to revive the country’s tourism industry.
Among those in attendance were Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment; Royal Malaysian police Sabah; Sabah and Labuan Marine Department; Semporna District Office; Sabah Tourism Board; and others.
“It is unfortunate that Sabah, a renowned global tourism destination in Malaysia, has seen its reputation marred by a series of incidents throughout this year, impacting the national tourism industry, particularly in Sabah,” said Tiong.
It is crucial for all departments and stakeholders involved, including the tourism industry itself, to show commitment and address these issues promptly, he said.
Among the key points discussed in meeting include a holistic review and enhancement of existing safety guidelines to ensure tourists safety when participating in various tourism activities, including water sports.
All boat operators must register and comply with established standards, and boat drivers must have valid licenses and insurance coverage.
Stringent enforcement and surprise inspections to be conducted to ensure all boat operators are registered.
The meeting also discussed the requirement for scuba diving instructors to hold recognised licences and undergo regular updates to enhance the overall quality of the diving experience for tourists, and addressing cleanliness issues in accommodation environments.
