The programmes, certified by Bureau Veritas Certification Malaysia, aim to boost travellers’ confidence and ensure them a safe experience.
The minister, Nancy Shukri, said TSA Malaysia will provide the industry with safe travel solutions, comprising the “Travel Safe” label for travel and tour arrangements, “Clean and Safe Malaysia” for hotels, and “SafeBE” for business events and convention venues.
“The ministry recognises and supports these three certification programmes.
“We need extraordinary strategies like these to revive not only the tourism and business event industries, but also the country’s socio-economic activities.
“More vital collaborations between the public and private sectors are the key to accelerating the recovery of our industries and economy,” she said at the virtual signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the framework for cooperation for TSA Malaysia in Langkawi today.
The MoU was signed by four major players in Malaysia’s tourism, business events and the airline industry.
These were the Malaysian Association of Convention and Exhibition Organisers and Suppliers (Maceos), the Malaysian Association of Hotels, the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (Matta) and airlines under the Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG).
The four groups pledged to position Malaysia as a safe destination for leisure and business travellers.
The MoU focuses on the combined efforts of the three major associations in the industry and MAG, including the national airline, in driving TSA Malaysia.
Nancy commended the efforts of Matta, MAH, Maceos and MAG, as TSA Malaysia will provide end-to-end safe travel solutions to travellers.
It will also promote Malaysia as the preferred travel and business events destination in the global market.
“This is indeed a remarkable achievement. I am certain that this certification will help the 900 members of MAH, the 2,001 active members of Matta, the 180 members of Maceos and of course, Malaysia Airlines, to pave the way to making Malaysia a preferred safe destination once we open.”
She said the MoU signified a strong commitment that was much needed from the industry players.
She was confident the certification programmes would restore travellers’ confidence in returning to Malaysia.
Nancy said the government was preparing to reopen more destinations to revive and revitalise the domestic tourism industry, with 90% of Malaysia’s adult population fully vaccinated, and following the success of the Langkawi travel bubble.
“The ministry has always prioritised the well-being of travellers and will always continue to do so, with increased attention to hygiene, health and a safe environment.
“Vendors in the tourism, hotel and business events industries have also enhanced protocols for the safety and comfort of all travellers,” she added.