SCCI SUPPORTS KARIM ON TOURISM TAX
Sarawak Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SCCI) has come out in support of Minister of Tourism Datuk Karim Hamzah’s stance regarding tourism tax levy for Sarawak. Speaking on behalf of its members, SCCI President Datuk Abang Abdul Karim Bin Tun Abang Hj Openg reiterated the need for engagement of such exercises with the relevant stakeholders and industry, “There are some grey areas that we need to address. Will the tourism tax collected from Sarawak be dispensed for the development and promotions of tourism in Sarawak?”
Business travel constitutes a major contributor to licensed hotel accommodations especially to and within Sarawak. Frequent business travellers will be impacted as well.
Committee member Gracie Geikie added,” Tour Operators have contractual (yearly) agreements with major hotels and have marketed and promoted Sarawak to their overseas agents on a contractual basis. Packages and rates have been firmed to promote Sarawak on a yearlong term. If Hotels add on this tourism tax charge to the agent or to the tourists themselves, there will be some repercussions”
SCCI hopes the Ministry of Tourism will initiate some dialogue sessions with industry partners to discuss best practices and solutions for Sarawak. SCCI members consist of hotel owners, event and conference organisers, technology and service providers, transportation and logistics suppliers amongst its membership base*