KUALA LUMPUR: The Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry is giving a 40% discount in compound payment to licensed tourism operators and tour guides.

       The ministry, in a statement on Saturday (Jen 1), said the compound payment period had also been extended until June 30 for all compounds issued them.

       "The ministry hopes that this initiative can help ease the burden of industry players affected by the outbreak of Covid-19.

       "Nevertheless, failure to settle the compounds issued could result in action being taken against the relevant companies or tour guides," it said.

       The Tourism Ministry said a compound exemption would be given to tourism operators and tour guides who failed to renew their licenses within the stipulated period for those with licence expiring on Jan 1 to June 30 due to the National Recovery Plan.

       This was on the condition that the tourism operators and tour guides concerned submitted their application within 30 days after the expiry of the licence, it said.

       During the recovery period, the ministry also issued license to tour companies without inspecting their premises, but an inspection would be carried out within 90 days after the licence was issued. - Bernama