MATTA Wants Govt To Consider Temporary Fuel Subsidy For Tourism Operators

KUALA LUMPUR, March 16 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) urged the government to consider introducing temporary fuel subsidies for tourism transport operators following the recent increase in fuel prices.

MATTA president Nigel Wong, in a statement today, said the increase in fuel prices is expected to significantly impact the tourism sector.

“Tourism transport operators across Malaysia play a crucial role in supporting both inbound and domestic tourism. Many of these operators have already entered into contractual agreements with overseas and local travel agencies months in advance to provide transportation services for tourists exploring Malaysia.

“The prices quoted and agreed upon by both parties were based on the prevailing fuel prices at the time the contracts were signed. With the recent hike in fuel prices, operators are now facing substantially higher operating costs,” he said.

Wong said the situation warrants timely intervention to ensure tourism transport operators can continue operating sustainably and support the broader tourism ecosystem.

“Tourism transport operators are a vital part of Malaysia’s tourism value chain, providing essential services that ensure smooth and reliable travel experiences for visitors.

“Many operators have already committed to fixed contract rates with travel agencies based on earlier fuel prices. The sudden increase in fuel costs means they are now absorbing these additional expenses, which could lead to significant financial strain,” he said.

He said temporary assistance would help cushion the impact while safeguarding the sustainability of the tourism supply chain.

Wong said ensuring the sustainability of tourism transport services is critical as Malaysia prepares to welcome more international and domestic visitors in the lead-up to Visit Malaysia 2026.

“Timely support for this sector will help preserve service quality, maintain industry stability, and enhance Malaysia’s competitiveness as a preferred tourism destination,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Malaysian Inbound Tourism Association (MITA) has urged the government to provide immediate assistance to address rising operational costs faced by tourism vehicle operators due to global fuel price hikes.

MITA Vice-President for Transport, Logeswaran K. Sukumar, said in a statement today that the situation has placed significant pressure on operators who are still recovering from the pandemic.

He proposed that the government consider several support measures to ensure the sustainability of the industry, including special fuel subsidies for registered tourism vehicle operators.

Logeswaran also suggested other forms of assistance, such as special grants to cover operational losses due to higher fuel costs and incentives for vehicle spare parts to reduce maintenance expenses.

“We believe that with government support and intervention, the tourism transport industry can continue to survive and contribute to the growth of the national tourism sector and Malaysia’s economy as a whole, especially with Visit Malaysia 2026 just getting underway,” he said.

-- BERNAMA