KUALA LUMPUR, 21 February 2019: Travellers should be wary of cheap travel packages, mainly sold online, that are usually too good to be true, the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents warned this week
MATTA president, Datuk Tan Kok Liang, was commenting on a media report over a travel package scam involving over MYR810,000 and affecting some 120 travellers earlier this month.
Fake tours
Tan said, “There is no such thing as a ‘free lunch’. If a deal is too good to be true, it probably is. Consumers should practise diligence before signing up for travel packages offered online many of them through social media like Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp.”
He recommended that consumers browse online to check the company legitimacy, trip reviews, track record and whether there is evidence of genuine referrals from friends, clients, or relatives on the company.”
“Consumer who had been cheated by irresponsible or illegal travel agent must immediately lodge a police report and file a claim with the Consumer Tribunal. They can then further pursue the matter with the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC), which is the regulatory and licensing authority registering travel agents.”
Prosecute fraudsters
MATTA said it took the matter seriously recommending that action including criminal charges must be taken against companies or individuals found to be involved or associated with such fraudulent activities.
But ministries responsible for registering travel agencies rarely report on what action they took when scams were exposed.
Directories out-dated
Thailand’s Ministry of Tourism for example is not up to speed in providing clear and updated directory information on registered travel agencies. It makes it more difficult to assess whether a travel firm booked by a traveller is a legitimate agency, with current updated registration.
With the exception of the Singapore Tourism Board, not a single ministry or tourism department in Southeast Asia (ASEAN) provides statements on travel agencies cautioned, struck off the registry, or prosecuted by the courts.
In many instances international tourists are unable to verify the legitimacy of the travel agency that sells them a service as the official ministry directory and the search process is in the local language.
The MATTA president came to the defence of travel agents.
“However, like any other industry, there are bound to be some bad apples. Not all travel agencies, or tour operators, are out to cheat people and many, if not most, are legitimate businesses.
“To protect the interest of genuine travel agents and consumers, swift enforcement actions needs to be taken and a review of current practices to close loop holes for such fraudulent activities,” concluded Tan.
