SHAH ALAM, Jan 7 — Selangor is allowing a three-month transition period for tourism industry players to implement the sustainability fee introduced on January 1 and get familiar with the mechanism, said state executive councillor for local government and tourism Dato’ Ng Suee Lim.
He said local authorities have been told to issue notices to operators about the implementation of the sustainability fee.
“For the initial stage, the state government is allowing a three-month transition period for awareness and (notice) dissemination.
“We asked local authorities to employ a friendly approach and not issue summonses during this period,” Ng told Media Selangor.
He added that leeway will be given during the transition period, in the event sustainability fee payments are delayed, to give operators time to understand the reporting and compliance mechanisms.
He said three months should be sufficient, but there have been requests from industry players for a longer transition period.
“In my view, three months is an appropriate period for this transition phase,” he said.
Ng emphasised that the sustainability fee isn’t meant to burden operators, but to conserve the environment and upgrade infrastructure at tourism destinations, especially in the field of ecotourism.
“Revenue from the fee collection will be put to use to improve facilities and the sustainability of tourism hotspots in Selangor,” he said.
The state government imposed a sustainability fee on tourist accommodations in Selangor on January 1.
Revenue from the sustainability fee, which is paid by tourists, will be used to upgrade tourist facilities, maintain the environment, and support greening projects and sustainable development.
Previously, Ng said the move is similar to that in Melaka and Penang, which charge heritage fees, as well as Pahang, Langkawi, Perak and Negeri Sembilan, which also impose tourism-related charges.
He added that Selangor, as the nation’s main economic and tourism hub, must move in line with current policies to ensure sustainable tourism development.
