The Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) hails the ending of the PUSPAKOM monopoly as a vital step in transforming the tourism sector and congratulates YB Anthony Loke, Minister of Transport, for this decisive move.
The industry has long been plagued by inefficiencies relating to the licensing of tourism vehicles which has greatly impacted the industry causing hardship and frustration amongst tourism vehicle operators.
This significant development marks a new era in the transportation industry, promising numerous benefits for both stakeholders and consumers alike which includes but is not limited to the following:
1. Improved Services and Benefits: The entry of various enterprises into the inspection services market marks a paradigm change that promotes healthy competition. More competition will result in a wider variety of service options, increased service quality and shorter wait times.
2. Improved Efficiency: The availability of multiple inspection providers will hopefully encourage service providers to streamline operations and provide timely, efficient service.
3. Innovation: New entrants to the market may bring with them greater innovation and technologies that will transform the inspection process, making it faster, more accurate, and more user-friendly. Embracing cutting-edge technologies would not only speed up inspections but also increase overall customer satisfaction.
However strict regulatory monitoring is essential to maintain compliance with industry standards and safety regulations. With the expansion of inspection service providers, modernized regulatory frameworks are required to ensure the integrity and dependability of inspections. Government oversight will be critical in ensuring a level playing field and sustaining industry best practices.
“By liberalizing such essential services, the Minister has taken the right step in helping transform the tourism industry, and perhaps many others for the better. MATTA has also submitted many proposals over the years to the Ministry that are designed to ensure our tourism industry remains competitive and we hope that the Minister will be able to address some of these in the very near future,” said MATTA President Nigel Wong in a press statement.
“In light of this bold move we are also hoping that the Ministry of Finance and the Royal Malaysian Customs will also look into the issue of the high insurance premiums for tourism vehicle operators and also the lack of luxury vehicle permits for tourism which puts us at a disadvantage when positioning Malaysia as a luxury tourism destination,” he added.