“RM1.1 billion for Motac — we are delighted. So far, it is the highest,” Matta president Tan Kok Liang told FMT when contacted.

He said the allocation, of which RM90 million has been allocated for promotional efforts, should empower the ministry to continue existing incentives.

Tan also said they were hoping for a part of the allocation to go to enforcement and regulatory efforts in the industry to address the increasing number of illicit travel agents operating through social media, especially in view of Visit Malaysia 2020.

Tan also commended the exemption from excise duty given for vehicles used to ferry tourists.

“We are more than happy that our wishes for tax incentives for tourism players buying vehicles has been acknowledged,” he added.

He said vehicle models for ferrying tourists had not been upgraded for the last 30 years, when compared with neighbouring countries.

“Our vehicle models remain unchanged due to the import and excise duties remaining too high for tourism players to buy new vehicles.

“But this 50% excise duty exemption for locally-assembled cars (such as Mercedes, BMW, Toyota, etc) means that we can buy better vehicles to service our tourists.

“This is a tremendous boost for us and this was on our wish list for this budget,” he said.

“Modernising the fleet will provide greater comfort to tourists during Visit Malaysia 2020 and enhance the image of the country,” Tan said.

He also said new mechanisms in e-visa processes for tourists — which now allow group applications of up to 100 individuals per application —would encourage group arrivals, particularly from India and China.