Govt to standardise regulations, taxes for hotels and Airbnb

The government will soon finalise the standardisation of issues involving the hotel sector and Airbnb including regulations and taxes, says Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Mustapa Mohamed.

He said this would give a new lease of life to the tourism industry, especially hotel operators whom he said had been more affected by the Covid-19 pandemic as they were bound by regulations.

He added that discussions are ongoing between the tourism, arts and culture ministry, the housing and local government ministry, and state governments, with a committee chaired by Chief Secretary to the Government Mohd Zuki Ali tasked with resolving these issues.

“In business, we have the concept of ‘level playing field’, meaning we have to be fair to all.

“If one component is subject to various rules while another sector is not, of course this is not fair,” he said in a press conference after an event at Bandar Hilir in Melaka.

He said the government was also in the final stages of considering applications from states for allocations under the 12th Malaysia Plan.

Giving the example of Melaka, he said the state had applied for RM100 million for a cable car development and RM25 million for the maintenance of several tourist destinations.

He said the matter would be discussed with the finance minister and prime minister before decisions are made.