PETALING JAYA: The local tour industry is coming together to ensure safer and more reliable travel experience for visitors.
Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) president Nigel Wong said the SOP for handling accidents varied but drivers were required to report incidents to their travel agencies.
“In more serious cases, agencies will activate their emergency response teams to manage the situation,” he said.
Describing Malaysia as a safe destination for tour bus travellers, Wong said some accidents might be due to factors beyond a driver’s control, such as road conditions or poor lighting.
“It is not just about vehicle condition and driver qualifications, but also traffic management and quality of road infrastructure,” he said.
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He said legitimate travel agents and transport operators were usually covered by insurance and must meet minimum safety standards, including having GPS tracking and onboard safety mechanisms.
“Many operators enforce strict screening because driver misconduct can severely affect business operations,” he said.
On the enforcement front, he said MATTA backed the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry (Motac) taking full responsibility for overseeing tourism vehicles, saying it was better positioned to understand the industry’s needs.
He pointed out that agencies such as the Road Transport Department (JPJ) may not be fully equipped to manage tourist-related incidents, and that enforcement would be more effective if coordinated under a ministry familiar with the sector.
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Malaysian Inbound Tourism Association (MITA) president Mint Leong said travel agencies must be ready to act immediately in the event of a tour bus accident.
“The first step is to notify the police and contact the relevant embassy,” she said, noting that embassies often serve as a key point of contact for affected families.
Agencies must then locate the accident site, account for all passengers, guides and drivers and ensure medical treatment is provided, she added.
