The Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA), the national umbrella representative body for the entire travel industry in Malaysia, and Bureau Veritas, a world leader in testing, inspection and certification, have signed an agreement to deploy the “Travel Safe Malaysia” Hygiene Excellence and Safety Label, designed to support the operational restart activities of the travel and tour industry.
MATTA has over 3,600 members operating comprising local tour and travel companies and numerous overseas affiliations, as well as working closely with the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) and Tourism Malaysia.
Since its inception in 1975, MATTA promotes the interests of the travel and tour industry in Malaysia by organising fairs, seminars, convention and workshops both to create public awareness of the tourism industry as well as to benefit its members.
The “Travel Safe Malaysia” programme is supported by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts & Culture (MOTAC), and will be offered to all MATTA members across Malaysia through field audits to ensure that appropriate health, safety and hygiene procedures and processes are in place and in line with globally recognized best practices and recommendations related to preventive measures for a safer business restart after the Covid-19 lockdown period.
Tan Kok Liang, President, Malaysian Association of Tour & Travel Agents, commented, “As the Covid-19 pandemic evolves with time, there needs to be new tourism strategies to create travel demand taking into consideration government safety and health protocols, the fragile situation, social distancing and other uncertainties. Putting greater focus on health and safety in travel demands could be significant to all stakeholders as it can be an opportunity for reflection and reinvention towards a better and more sustainable tourism future. The positioning of Malaysia as a safe country will encourage future travellers to choose Malaysia once travelling resumes with borders being open to international visitors.”
Mohd Nizam Abdul Malik, Country Chief Executive, CIF South East Asia Operating Region, Bureau Veritas Malaysia, commented, “Bureau Veritas is very proud to be involved in the deployment of the “Travel Safe Malaysia” programme with MATTA. As Malaysia is an established international tourist destination, it will bring comfort to travelers from around the world that Malaysia’s tourism industry is fully prepared and has taken hygiene and safety as the highest priority in their operations. This will surely benefit local tourists as well as they will know that their service providers are certified and follow the highest hygiene and safety standards in relation to the on-going Covid-19 pandemic. Bureau Veritas will be there to provide the independent assessment and certification for all stakeholders.”
