A consumer group has urged Malaysia Airlines to ban alcohol from all domestic and international flights.
The Rural Malaysia Consumer and Ecology Association (Rural Malaysia) released a statement calling on the national airline to “take a brave and principled step”.
Secretary-General M.S. Anuar Mahmod insisted it isn’t a religious issue but about “social responsibility, flight safety, public health and national identity.”
The group wants Malaysian Airlines to follow the likes of Saudi Arabian Airlines, Kuwait Airways, EgyptAir, Iran Air and Royal Brunei Airways - all from countries where alcohol is heavily restricted or banned outright.
But tourism industry leaders are warning that banning alcohol could impact not only the airline’s bottom line but Malaysia’s international image, too, news hub Travel Mole reported.
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.
“Malaysia is known as a moderate tourism country. We emphasise values like tolerance, acceptance, and inclusiveness," said Nigel Wong, president of the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents.
"That’s what makes Malaysia so appealing as a tourism destination.”
No comments:
Post a Comment