KUALA LUMPUR, July 24 — The government collected RM308.33 million in tourism tax from 2018 to 2022, said Tourism, Arts, and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing.
Of this figure, RM135.49 million was collected in 2018, and RM67.74 million was distributed to state governments, while RM134.94 million was received in 2019, and RM67.47 million was distributed to state governments.
In addition, RM37.90 million was collected in the first half of 2020, with RM18.95 million distributed to state governments.
“However, the collection of tourism tax was suspended from July 1, 2020, to December 31, 2022, due to the closure of the tourism sector caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Tax collection resumed on January 1, 2023,” he told the Dewan Negara today.
Tiong was responding to Senator Datuk Mohd Hisamudin Yahaya's query on the total amount of tourism tax collected so far and how it is being used.
Tourism tax revenue is distributed to the Federal and state governments and can only be spent on the scope related to the development of tourism, arts, and culture sectors.
This includes the maintenance and provision of tourism facilities, buildings, and heritage sites; the promotion and marketing of tourist destinations; improvements in the compilation of tourism, arts, and culture statistics; and initiatives for the digitalisation of tourism, arts, and culture products.
— Bernama
