KOTA KINABALU: Many tour bus operators here are in dire need for financial assistance from the government after suffering for two years because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
"As a result, the operators are bearing heavy losses for repair works and maintenance, while many had no income at all for two years.
"Many parts need to be replaced despite the vehicles being left idle in the garage," Kota Kinabalu Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KKCCCI) president Datuk Michael Lui told the media at a restaurant here today.
"We will bring up the issues including the renewal of tour bus permits with the tourism authority.
"We will also request the Sabah government to provide practical assistance to revive the state's tourism industry," said Lui.
He said the tour bus operators need to get ready to welcome foreign tourists following the reopening of Malaysia's international borders last month.
A number of countries such as Brunei, the Philippines, South Korea and Singapore have resumed their flight operations to Sabah, which is an indication the state's tourism industry is recovering, he said.
To make sure the state's tourism industry players are ready, the KKCCCI will be holding a "Tourism Stakeholders Networking Event" on June 16 at Wisma KKCCCI in Kota Kinabalu here.
"The event will allow industry players to highlight issues and challenges they faced in managing their finances and businesses after being badly hit by the Covid-19 pandemic," said Lui.
The feedback and discussions gathered from the networking event will be compiled and submitted to the Sabah Tourism Board for follow-up actions to help the revival of the industry, he said.
The networking event will be moderated by KKCCCI Tourism and Technology director Chong Tet Seong.
The panel of speakers are Sabah Tourism Board senior officer, Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) Sabah Chapter representative; Sabah Association of Tour and Travel Agents chairman Datuk Seri Winston Liaw and Malaysian Chinese Tourism Association (MCTA) Sabah Chapter chairman Vincent Sia.