Latest News

Back to Latest News back

 

Malaysian theme parks call for removal of entertainment tax

Malaysian theme parks call for removal of entertainment tax
September 24, 2020

Malaysia’s theme park operators, seen as being among one of the country’s industry sectors most adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, are appealing for the abolition of the nation’s 25% entertainment tax.

As reported by The Malaysian Reserve, Malaysian Association of Amusement Theme Park and Family Attractions (MAATFA) President, Tan Sri Richard CK Koh said if the appeal is not considered, the theme park and attractions industry will not survive another year.

Koh told The Malaysian Reserve that abolishing the tax “will hopefully encourage the middle- and lower-class families to come to our parks as they may then afford the tickets.”

To address the new norms and challenges faced by the industry, he said the association is increasing the play and service value for visitors by also offering aggressive discounts, adding “we will be offering good quality foods and services for in-park spending, good discounted advance ticket purchases to boost cashflow, reliance on domestic travellers especially families and deal-seekers, and immediate improvements on customer experience as a whole.”

He also said while the recovery of domestic tourism has been encouraging, attendance still falls short from the target as not all locals are comfortable enough to begin their travels.

Sri noted “there are outdoor parks performing better against last year, in terms of attendance, but still suffer from lower per capita spending across the board, while the same cannot be said for indoor attractions as sentiments are softer.

“However, all attractions would still be subjected to weekend and holiday attendance as weekday reliance on groups, especially school groups, is yet to recover.”

Similarly, indoor attractions are also not as well attended versus outdoor theme parks.

Last month, an indoor adventure theme park was also opened at the Paradigm Mall after one year of development and six months of physical building work by Dubai-based theme park developer Sim Leisure Group.

Currently offering 12 attractions it will expand further within the next two years.

Images: The 1140-metre waterslide at ESCAPE Penang (top) and the Jengka Wonderland waterpark (below).

Related Articles

14th July 2020 - IAAPA outlines COVID-19 safety protocols for parks and guests as attractions reopen  

4th May 2020 - ASEAN nations agree tourism cooperation efforts amid Coronavirus pandemic

19th April 2020 - IAAPA shares insights from industry leaders on how Asia-Pacific Attractions have adapted to COVID-19

13th April 2020 - Malaysian zoos need government funding to cover operating costs

19th March 2020 - Genting closes Malaysian resort while launching offers for Resorts World Sentosa

28th November 2019 - Angry Bird Mobile Water Park opens in Malaysia

16th November 2019 - Legoland Malaysia goes cashless

10th November 2019 - Malaysian Theme Park to be powered by renewable energy

22nd October 2019 - Genting Malaysia announces opening of Highlands theme park in second half of 2020

16th October 2019 - Low visitation levels see closure of Malaysia’s Hello Kitty theme park

26th July 2019 - Genting, Fox and Disney agree settlement in Malaysian theme park dispute

12th July 2019 - World’s new longest waterslide set to open at Malaysia’s Escape Park

16th December 2018 - Malaysia’s Jengka Wonderland waterpark opens 

11th August 2018 - Dreamworks attraction cancelled at Malaysia’s Movie Animation Park Studios

5th February 2018 - Legoland Malaysia to expand with new Sea Life Aquarium

25th March 2017 - Malaysia sets out credentials as South East Asia’s theme park capital

10th December 2012 - Sim Leisure poised to export adventure park brand

21st November 2012 - Sim Leisure opens nature-based adventure park

5th October 2012 - Leisure set to transform Johor into Malaysia’s richest state