Malaysia's MyBHA urges unified regulation for short-term rentals

The Malaysian government needs to establish a more integrated regulatory framework involving local authorities and the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture. This is to ensure only short-term rental accommodation (STRA) premises meeting specific requirements can offer services to tourists.

Dr. Sri Ganesh Michiel, president of the Malaysian Budget & Business Hotel Association (MyBHA), emphasized that every STRA premise applying for or renewing a license from local authorities must prove its registration with the ministry. They also need to undergo a recognized tourist accommodation rating or classification process. He believes this step will curb operations by premises outside the tourism industry's regulatory framework.

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If you are running a lodging business and earning income from tourists, then you must be recognized within the tourism regulatory system. Local authorities and the ministry cannot operate separately when regulating the same accommodation ecosystem. There needs to be better coordination, information sharing, and verification processes between the authorities.

"If you are running a lodging business and earning income from tourists, then you must be recognized within the tourism regulatory system," Michiel stated. "Local authorities and the ministry cannot operate separately when regulating the same accommodation ecosystem. There needs to be better coordination, information sharing, and verification processes between the authorities."

Furthermore, MyBHA requested clarification on the status of proposed amendments to the Tourism Industry Act 1992. "The industry has the right to know the current status of the amendments to the Tourism Industry Act 1992, when the proposed amendments will be finalized, and whether they provide the necessary regulatory instruments to address the realities of today's digital accommodation and tourism market," Michiel added.

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The industry has the right to know the current status of the amendments to the Tourism Industry Act 1992, when the proposed amendments will be finalized, and whether they provide the necessary regulatory instruments to address the realities of today's digital accommodation and tourism market.