Unauthorised travel agents are urged to legalise their businesses by applying for licences.
Pahang Arts, Tourism, Heritage, Family Development and Women’s Affairs Committee chairman Datuk Shafik Fauzan Sharif said there was a number of illegal travel agents operating in the state and this could create problems for the tourism industry.
Shafik said, should anything happen to tourists on trips organised by illegal travel agents, the tourists would not have had proper insurance coverage and the Government would get blamed for allowing the illegal agents to conduct business.
“Applying for a licence is as simple as filling up the registration forms. Of course, there are terms and conditions to be met. The purpose of registering as travel agents is to protect both operators and clients if a problem arises.
“There will be insurance coverage for the tour if the agents are licensed,” Shafik told reporters at a press conference to announce the upcoming MATTA fair.
The fair, organised by the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents Pahang chapter, will be held from Oct 9 to 11 at Kuantan Parade here.
Shafik said that insurance companies did not cover illegal travel agents. If tourists were injured in an accident, they would not get compensation, he added.
“The Government welcomes efforts by individuals and companies to promote tourism in the state. However, it has to be done in a proper and legal way,” he said.
He added that there were 63 registered travel agents in the state.
On the MATTA fair, Shafik said the three-day programme would provide a good opportunity for travel agents to widen their market.
“It is a meeting point for them to sell and promote their services and packages,” he said.
He said that 57 booths would be set up and more than half had already been taken up.
Source : STAR
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