Matta believes that the tourist tax has produced a negative impact on tourist industry as a whole and it is especially cruicial for those travelling on a budget or long-term tourists. It is probably one of the reasons why the Malaysian tourist sector does not develop as fast as in the neighbouring countries, especially in Thailand, Singapore and the Philippines. While all the three of these countries showed a steady increase of tourist arrivals in 2017 – 8%, 6% and 11% respectively, – Malaysia saw 25.95 mln tourists – a 3% drop compared to 26.76 mln of 2016.
Matta considers that abolishment of the tourist taxt will probably help tourists to prefer Malaysia to other countries of the region when making their choice on the next travel destination. The measure will also encourage tourists stay longer in the country and spend money freely.
Indeed, the tourist tax put many tourists and hoteliers in an awkward position. Hoteliers complained that they were feeling as tax collectors while it was often an unpleasant surprise for tourists to find out that the tourist tax came on top of the hotel rates what many considered to be a scam.
Good News: Malaysian Tourist Tax May Be Abolished Soon
News in Asia
The infamous Malaysian 10 MYR tourist tax payable since September 2017 per night per person for all the hotel stays may be waived soon as it is counterproductive for tourists, thinks the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (Matta).