Malaysia sees opportunity in Bali's tourist tax plan

KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysia sees an opportunity in Indonesia's plan to introduce a tourist tax for visitors to Bali starting in February, said Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan.

He said that while other countries may be losing interest in certain tourist destinations, Malaysia can leverage this opportunity by highlighting its own unique attractions and offerings.

"Based on the sales mission done by the ministry, we saw a positive response towards the tourism industry because firstly, tourists felt safe to travel to our nation.

"Secondly, the level of hospitality we offered despite not being 100 per cent perfect, it was beyond satisfactory and lastly our multitude of cultural and tourism offers that catered to their tastes," he said after the 2023 Mid-Autumn Festival Celebration here yesterday.

Firdaus said that Malaysia is currently well-positioned to attract tourists, as it offers a safe and welcoming environment, high levels of hospitality, and a wide range of cultural and tourism attractions.

He also urged all stakeholders in the tourism industry to work together to promote Malaysia overseas and to address any issues that may arise.