THE SOFT LAUNCH OF MALAYSIA TOURISM EXCELLENCE (MaTEx) BUSINESS CERTIFICATION PROGRAMME
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9 August 2019, Petaling Jaya – Tourism Productivity Nexus (TPN) has launched a scheme for tourism industry players to path their way for higher level of certification standards which known as the Malaysia Tourism Excellence (MaTEx) Business Certification Programme.
YBrs. Encik Uzaidi Udanis, Champion of Tourism Productivity Nexus m graced the ceremony with the presence of Tourism Certification Initiative Leader, YBhg. Dato Noor Zaleha Baharuddin, those who have been involved in the initiative, members of the Certification Committee, representatives from the government and tourism associations. This initiative is to mark the beginning of its pilot project with the aim to recognise the excellent achievements of the tourism industry players, improve their service deliveries and encourage their business expansions. MaTEx targets tourism micro, small and medium companies to subscribe to this certification for MaTEx’s pilot project started on 15 July 2019 and to date has garnered interest from nearly 100 companies.
Taged as a certification programme “by the industry, for the industry” was initiated by Tourism Productivity Nexus through its Technical Working Groups, in which five new industry level standards were developed for travel agencies, adventure tourism activities, event management companies, MICE and event venues and product/site operators/owners. The standard for each category has about 100 to 150 indicators or requirements for business owners to comply with in order to be certified and awarded wit MaTEx Certification of Excellence.
Uzaidi Udanis emphasised that “the standard developed are meant for easy entry by all companies, tourism players to set their operations according to specific criteria and later when their businesses grow, they can subscribe to higher level standards such as MyTQA, national level certification programme or ISO certification.” He further added that “TPN has developed MaTEx and its standards because we listen to the industry players that some of their products and services are not covered by the existing standards and through they are covered, industry players are unable to subscribe to the standards due to various factors.”
MaTEx has embarked on its pilot project from August until October 2019, by which the certification scheme will be officially launched upon its completion. This coincides with Visit Malaysia 2020 where tourism products and services in Malaysia will be more visible that later enhance tourist’s trust and confidence.
A Certification Committee, comprising representatives from tourism industry players and government officials has been formed to govern the programme. YBhg. Dato Noor Zaleha Baharuddin, also the Secretary General for Malaysia Tourism Council (MTC) serves as the first Chairperson for the community.
MaTEx is supported by Malaysia Productivity Coorperation (MPC), in collaboration with the ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MoTAC) to boost the productivity of the tourism industry and hope that the tourism industry players especially the micro, small and medium companies will grab the opportunity to be certified under MaTEx. The Ministry also lauded the industry-led initiative in developing its own criteria for business operations and management to be sustainable in the industry. This certification scheme can be effective marketing tool for promotions and advertising.
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