Tourism industry leaders are warning that banning alcohol on Malaysia Airlines flights could impact not only the airline’s bottom line but Malaysia’s international image too.
It would negatively impact the country’s reputation as a tolerant nation, they say.
Sri Ganesh Michiel, president of the Malaysian Tourism Federation, says the availability of alcohol on board is simply what global travellers expect. It doesn’t mean the airline is being culturally insensitive.
It will put the airline at a competitive disadvantage, tourism stakeholders say.
There needs to be a balance between respect for the cultural norms and providing service levels that both foreign and domestic travellers expect.
“Malaysia is known as a moderate tourism country. We emphasise values like tolerance, acceptance, and inclusiveness. That’s what makes Malaysia so appealing as a tourism destination,” said Nigel Wong, president of the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents.
It follows a concerted effort by some politicians to ban the serving of alcohol in-flight.
