By Norrasyidah Arshad
SHAH ALAM, Feb 8 — The full entertainment duty exemption for theme parks’ entrance fees from March 2020 to December this year will help owners to continue their operation after the movement control order (MCO) period.
Tourism Selangor general manager Azrul Shah Mohamad said since the enforcement of the MCO, theme park operators faced a crisis due to the closure of their businesses.
“When this initiative was announced, they breathed a sigh of relief as it gave a new light of hope to continue their operation. Now we hope they will conduct promotions to attract visitors,” he told SelangorKini.
Azrul Shah said although the sector was again allowed to operate, theme parks still faced problems as it is bound by strict standard operating procedures (SOPs) and also due to the reduction in the numbers of visitors.
“Therefore Tourism Selangor will intensify all efforts including the ‘Pusing Selangor Dulu’ (Explore Selangor First) campaign, the issuance of vouchers, tour programmes and new norm tourism events,” he said.
On February 2, Selangor Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari announced the implementation of the exemption that begins from March 18 last year to the end of the year, involving an estimated financial impact of RM26.35 million.
He also stated that the entertainment tax rate is reduced from 25 per cent to 5 per cent over a duration of five years starting from January 1, 2022, to December 31, 2026, with a total revenue impact of RM21.04 million a year.
