THE standardisation of several issues involving the hotel sector and Airbnb, such as regulations, taxes, will be finalised soon, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Economy) Mustapa Mohamed.

He said the move was to give a new lease of life to the tourism industry, especially hotel operators, who are more affected by the Covid-19 pandemic as they are more heavily regulated than Airbnb operators.

It is also part of the government’s efforts to help revive the tourism sector towards restoring the country’s economy, he added.

He said discussions were in progress between the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry, Housing and Local Government Ministry and the state governments, through a committee chaired by the Chief Secretary to the Government Mohd Zuki Ali.

“In business, it is not a level playing field if one component is subject to various rules, while another sector is not. It is not fair,” he told a media conference in Bandar Hilir, Malacca, yesterday.

Meanwhile, Mustapa said the government was in the final stages of considering applications for funding under the 12th Malaysia Plan from all states.

Citing Malacca as an example, he said the state had applied for RM100 million for a cable car development project and RM25 million for maintenance of several tourist destinations. – Bernama, September 14, 2020.