KOTA KINABALU: The Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) under the presidency of Datuk Tan Kok Liang (pic) is happy that Budget 2020 contained incentives for the tourism industry.
In a statement, Tan said the RM1.1 billion allocated to the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC), of which RM90 million had been allocated for promotions, will among others empower MOTAC to step up enforcement and continuation of incentives, such as the matching grant under Galakan Melancong Malaysia (GAMELAN Malaysia 2019).
Tan said the accelerated capital allowance for the purchase of completely knocked down (CKD) tour vehicles for two years and 50 percent reduction of excise duty for locally assembled vehicles was good news to the association and other stakeholders.
He made the comme t when asked on the nation l Budget 2020 th t was tabled last Friday. Tan said the industry was especially happy with the incentive for purchasing tour vehicles as many of those used nowadays, were old.
"The incentives also showed that the government gave consideration to its presentations made to Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng and top officials from the Ministry of Finance (MOF) and Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI)", he added.
He said the new allocated budget will also allow operators a great window of opportunity to replace their ageing vehicles at much reduced cost, addin g tha t modernising their fleet would provide greater comfort to tourists during Visit Malaysia 2020 and enhance the image of the country.
"MATTA had long been advocating for a policy that is more welcoming for foreign tourists and it is heartening to note that a new mechanism on e-Visa will be introduced to facilitate their arrivals," the second termer as president of the association stressed.
"We are happy with the measures and incentives, including those for theme parks that were announced in Budget 2020, Tan opined. - Nikko Fabian