KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) welcomed the termination of the PUSPAKOM monopoly as a critical step in revitalising the tourism sector.
MATTA emphasised that the sector has long struggled with inefficiencies in licensing tourism cars, which has created serious difficulties and annoyance for operators.
It said that this milestone marks the beginning of a new age in transportation, promising several benefits for both stakeholders and customers.
In a statement, the association extended its congratulations to Anthony Loke, Minister of Transport, for this decisive action.
"By liberalising 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 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.
MATTA highlighted the numerous benefits for stakeholders and consumers, such as improved services and advantages.
It observed that the entrance of various enterprises into the inspection services market signals a shift towards healthy competition.
This increased competition is expected to lead to a wider array of service options, better service quality, and shorter wait times, MATTA elaborated.
Additionally, the presence of multiple inspection providers is predicted to encourage service providers to streamline operations and offer prompt, efficient service.
Furthermore, MATTA said that new market entrants may introduce greater innovation and technologies, revolutionising the inspection process to be faster, more precise, and user-friendly.
Embracing cutting-edge technologies, it argued, would expedite inspections and boost overall customer satisfaction.
Nonetheless, MATTA emphasised the importance of stringent regulatory monitoring to ensure compliance with industry standards and safety regulations.
It added that government oversight would be crucial in ensuring fair competition and maintaining industry best practices.
