Latest news with #KhairulFirdausAkbarKhan
New Straits Times
8 hours ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
New rules coming for Airbnb-style stays
KUALA LUMPUR: Draft guidelines for Short-Term Residential Accommodation (STRA), developed by the Housing and Local Government Ministry (KPKT) through PlanMalaysia, will be presented to the cabinet soon. Deputy Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan said the guidelines would then be submitted to the National Council for Local Government. "Once approved, the guidelines will provide a more structured and sustainable framework for state governments and local authorities to coordinate STRA implementation. The rollout is targeted by the end of this year," he told the Dewan Rakyat. He added that, to better regulate the ecosystem of tourist accommodation and STRA premises, the ministry and the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry (Motac) had reached a consensus: STRA premises can only be registered as tourist accommodation after securing a business operating licence from the relevant local authority. "This requirement is crucial, as licensing and enforcement of accommodation premises fall under the jurisdiction of local councils," he said. Meanwhile, Khairul Firdaus said Motac is expected to table amendments to the Tourism Industry Act 1992 either at the end of this year or in early 2026. The amendment process has involved 54 engagement sessions attended by nearly 1,000 stakeholders nationwide, including representatives from ministries, agencies, NGOs and industry players from Sabah and Sarawak. "Among the proposed changes are improvements to licensing procedures, insurance protection, enforcement powers, digital platform registration, and the establishment of a Tourism Tribunal," he said. He was responding to a question from Aminolhuda Hassan (PH–Sri Gading), who had asked whether Motac and KPKT intended to align the Tourism Industry Act 1992 with the proposed STRA guidelines to avoid overlaps in authority between the two ministries, particularly as the guidelines have yet to be launched.
New Straits Times
9 hours ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Govt to boost VM2026 on social media
KUALA LUMPUR: The Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry will utilise social media platforms to promote Visit Malaysia Year 2026 (VM2026) globally. Its Deputy Minister Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan said Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, YouTube and Xiaohongshu will be used to market Malaysia as an appealing travel destination. "The ministry is crafting consistent and effective narratives to make Malaysia appear as a prime travel destination," he said in reply to Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin (PN-Masjid Tanah) during the Minister Question Time today. He added that Malaysia is employing targeted marketing strategies to attract tourists from China, Australia, India, Indonesia, Central Asia, Russia, Middle East, the United Kingdom, Chinese Taipei, Germany and Asean nations. "We are also increasing traffic of visitors to Malaysia by adding flight routes to main Malaysian cities from international destinations." He also said the ministry is engaging with online travel agencies to ensure that the travel packages offered remain competitive.
The Sun
11 hours ago
- Business
- The Sun
MOTAC boosts four strategies to hit VM2026 tourist target
KUALA LUMPUR: The Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) is stepping up efforts to strengthen four key strategies to ensure the tourist arrival target for Visit Malaysia Year 2026 (VM2026) is achieved, said Deputy Minister Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan. He said the strategies outlined include focusing on target markets such as China, India, Australia, Indonesia, Central Asia, Russia, the Middle East, the United Kingdom, Chinese Taipei and Germany, while continuing to prioritise the ASEAN market. 'In addition, we are increasing visitor traffic to Malaysia by introducing new flight routes connecting major Malaysian cities with international destinations. 'This will also allow us to increase seat capacity to the country through the provision of incentives under the International Aviation and Charter Sector Grant (GSPC),' he said during the question-and-answer session in the Dewan Rakyat today. He said this in response to a supplementary question from Lee Chuan How (PH–Ipoh Timor) regarding the ministry's initiatives to ensure that the VM2026 tourist arrival target can be achieved. Khairul Firdaus said the third strategy involved strategic collaboration with travel agencies, including online platforms, to offer attractive, competitive and value-added travel packages. He also said the visa liberalisation plan introduced by the Home Ministry had had a significant impact on the country's tourism sector, particularly in attracting tourists from China and India. - Bernama
The Star
11 hours ago
- Business
- The Star
STRA draft guidelines to be presented to Cabinet soon, says Deputy Tourism Minister
KUALA LUMPUR: Short-Term Residential Accommodation (STRA) draft guidelines developed by the Housing and Local Government, through PLANMalaysia, will be presented for discussion at the Cabinet level soon, the Dewan Rakyat hears. Deputy Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan ( pic ) said it would then be brought to the National Council for Local Government. 'Once approved, it will be utilised by state governments and local councils to regulate STRAs in a more coordinated and sustainable manner. 'It is targeted for implementation by the end of this year,' he said during question time on Wednesday (July 30). Khairul Firdaus added that both his ministry and the Housing and Local Government Ministry had come to a consensus where STRAs can only be registered as tourist accommodation premises once they receive a business license from local councils. 'This is essential as the licensing matters fall under the jurisdiction of the respective local authorities,' he said. He added that more than 10 engagements have been held with stakeholders between January to August 2023. The deputy minister also said the ministry has completed a review of the Tourism Industry Act 1992, with amendments expected to be tabled anytime between the end of this year to early 2026. He said 54 engagements were held, involving almost 1,000 participants from various government agencies, non-governmental organisations and industry players from across Malaysia. Among the proposed amendments, he said, are licensing, insurance coverage, enhancing enforcement, digital registration platforms and the establishment of a tourism tribunal. He was responding to a question by Aminolhuda Hassan (PH-Sri Gading), who asked if the ministry, together with the Housing and Local Government Ministry, have plans to streamline the Tourism Industry Act 1992 with new STRA guidelines to prevent any overlap in terms of responsibilities.
Barnama
12 hours ago
- Business
- Barnama
MOTAC Strengthens Four Key Strategies To Achieve VM2026 Tourist Arrival Target
KUALA LUMPUR, July 30 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) is stepping up efforts to strengthen four key strategies to ensure the tourist arrival target for Visit Malaysia Year 2026 (VM2026) is achieved, said Deputy Minister Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan. He said the strategies outlined include focusing on target markets such as China, India, Australia, Indonesia, Central Asia, Russia, the Middle East, the United Kingdom, Chinese Taipei and Germany, while continuing to prioritise the ASEAN market. "In addition, we are increasing visitor traffic to Malaysia by introducing new flight routes connecting major Malaysian cities with international destinations.
