By Nura Valentiana Lorna & Lee Shaw Wei
KUCHING: Homestay, resort and park operators must do everything necessary to ensure all their amenities are safe for tourists.
In making the call Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts Minister Datuk Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said other than facilities and infrastructure, transportation used to carry tourists should also be well maintained.
He said now that the tourism industry has fully reopened to both domestic and foreign visitors following the two-year lull caused by the COVID-19 outbreak, operators should always monitor and maintain the conditions of their premises to prevent mishaps.
“Make sure that the places are visit-worthy. We don’t want any accidents to happen. Sometimes it can even lead to death.
“Transportation carrying visitors should also be given priority. For example like a passenger boat, it must have adequate safety jackets,” Karim said after a press conference on the Heritage, Arts and Culture Facilitation Fund at Baitul Makmur 2 here on Wednesday (April 27).
He was responding to a bridge collapse at Mulu Marriott Resort and Spa yesterday (Apr 26), which injured four men, including the general manager and resort manager, both of whom are foreigners.
“I was made understood that the four were visiting the site to inspect what should be upgraded.
“It’s just unfortunate that when they were there, the bridge collapsed. But the intention was there, to make sure the facilities are worthy to welcome visitors,” he said.
