SIBU: Holiday makers are reminded not to be over excited when approached by unscrupulous agents purportedly offering cheap tour packages, as they could be hoodwinked into paying more than what they deserved.
Michael Wong
“They should not rush to sign up for the package nor pressured into making payment by claims that the offer is for limited time only,” Ministry of Domestic Trade, Co-operatives and Consumerism (MDTCC) Sibu branch chief Balraj Singh told The Borneo Post yesterday.
Holiday makers also needed to ensure the agent they were dealing with, was properly registered and licensed by the relevant authority.“The offer may not be as good as it sounds. So, check out with other tour operators if indeed there is such offer going on or whether it is cost effective to roll out such a cheap package,” he added.
Balraj said “it is better to be safe than to be sorry”, as the authority and local travel agents advised travellers to vet the background of the company including track record to ensure that it was not a fly-by-night operator.
Metropolitan Travel Service Sdn Bhd Michael Wong Ngee Khih, advised travellers to be wary of cheap travel packages, adding that at times, the deal may be too good to be true.
He advised them to go through registered agents with good track record of delivering good service to their clients.
Wong did not discount the possibility that some of the so called agents may intentionally not reveal the full details so that holiday makers may perceive the package as attractive or great deals.
“Upon reaching the destination, travellers may find themselves forking out more as they claimed some of items such as cable car ride are not included in the package.
“Perhaps, they may even n eed to foot extra for food or sightseeing,” he warned.
The fact that travellers were already at the destination compelled them to agree to certain ‘ad hoc’ conditions imposed by the agents.
He recalled of several such cases in the Peninsula where disgruntled holiday makers voiced their grievances as they felt cheated.
Wong also advised travellers to beware of ‘agents’, who collected payment, promising of the package b
ut absconded with the money when the time came.
He noted of such incident in the past, reiterating that travellers dealt with agents that they knew best or trusted, which he likened to consumers buying branded goods.
Robert Tan
Echoing Wong’s view, managing director of Equitorial Tours and Travel Sdn Bhd Robert Tan reminded holiday makers to go for established agents.
He pointed out that such agents were registered with the relevant authority where they were required to have certain capital to operate their business.
“They won’t want to risk getting their licence revoked as it is not possible to seek reapplication as the cancellation is for good,” he explained.
He figured some new agents were too eager to outshine the established operators thus compelling them to roll out cheap packages to get more business.
Tan cautioned holiday makers to be careful of packages ranging between three and six months as it provided ample time for unscrupulous agents to carry out their ‘hanky-panky’ act.
Towards this end, Wong felt that travel agents needed to spell out clearly upfront to their clients and there should not be any ‘hidden’ items.
“We should inform them what is inside the package and likewise, let them know upfront, things that we can’t include in the deal due to the cost factors
“By being sincere, we can keep them satisfied and be assured of repeated business,” he suggested.
Rudy Anoi
Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) executive Rudy Anoi advised holiday makers to obtain their packages from licensed tour agents.
“First and foremost, they need to thoroughly vet the background of the company that they
wish to sign up the package with. Taking precautionary measures will help them avoid unnecessary problems later,” he said.
Balraj urged those who had been cheated to lodge a police report, adding that complainants could
also forward the case to the Consumer Claims Tribunal for hearing.
He warned that stern actions can be taken against the unscrupulous operators under the Trade Description Act 1972.