MOTAC

MOTAC is the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia, the government body that oversees tourism in the country. For a traveller, the most useful part is its public check lists.

What is MOTAC in plain words?

Think of MOTAC as the official register for tourism businesses. Travel agencies that sell trips need a licence, and MOTAC publishes a list you can search.

Its Check section includes a Travel Agency (TOBTAB) list showing company name, licence number, field, type and period. You can filter it by state, and the same section has a watchlist of entities that broke the Tourism Industry Act 1992 ¹.

Why does it matter for a Malaysian traveller?

Before you pay a deposit for a Japan trip, you can match the company name and licence number to the list. A match tells you the licence exists. It does not tell you the trip is good value.

For a Japan trip sold to Malaysians, look for the Outbound field. Then ask for written inclusions and cancellation terms.

Where to go next

Follow our step-by-step licence check guide. To understand who does what between planner, agency and guide, read who does what. Before paying, read what Malaysians verify before booking and the cancellation questions.