If you want to open a travel agency in Malaysia, we recommend that you seek specialized assistance and consider the main requirements. For example, in order to develop the activities of such a business, you must obtain a license first. However, we invite you to read the following lines with information on how to set up a travel agency, helped by our experts in company formation in Malaysia.
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Incorporating a company in the tourism sector in Malaysia
If you want to set up a travel agency in Malaysia, you must consider the following aspects:
- The company name must include terms like: holiday, travel, vacation, tours, etc.
- Shareholders must prove that they have at least 3 years of experience in tourism before starting a travel agency in Malaysia.
- RM 200,000 is the minimum share capital for inbound and outbound travel agencies in Malaysia. There are exceptions, for example, foreign investors wanting to start an inbound travel agency in Malaysia must have a minimum paid capital of RM 1.5 million.
- Also required are a tenancy agreement, office layout plan, and photos of the business premises, plus IDs/passports of company shareholders.
- In this case, it is possible to undertake a premises inspection by Malaysian local authority officers and be prepared to make changes before the signboard is settled.
Applying for a travel agency license
The most important thing to consider when opening a travel agency in Malaysia is obtaining a business license, as specified by the Tourism Industry Act 1992 in Malaysia. This document is issued by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture in Malaysia, the authority that accepts license applications of this type. Here is what you need to prepare in this regard:
- The application begins with completing the form for the License to Carry on or Operate a Tour Operating Business and Travel Agency Business in Malaysia.
- About RM 100 is the processing fee for a travel agency license in Malaysia.
- Other documents, such as company papers, passports/IDs of shareholders, etc., are also required.
It is very important that before starting activities as a travel agency in Malaysia, you first obtain the necessary license. Such a license is valid for up to 3 years, with the possibility of extension if all conditions are met. We recommend that you work with our specialists when opening a company in Malaysia, particularly a travel agency. This way, you can ensure all formalities and procedures for setting up a business in Malaysia and obtaining the necessary license are met.
About the tourism sector in Malaysia
Here are some facts about the tourism sector in Malaysia that might help you decide better when opening a travel agency here:
- Over 37 million tourists visited Malaysia in 2024. Their number increased by over 31% compared to 2023.
- Around RM 106.8 million represented the total spending of tourists in Malaysia in 2024.
- Most tourists in Malaysia came from countries such as Singapore (over 18 million), Indonesia (over 4 million), Thailand (over 2.2 million), China (over 3.7 million), and India (over 1.3 million).
When starting a business in Malaysia, it is good to consider other services. For example, we can put you in touch with our accountants in Malaysia. Please contact our specialists in company incorporation in Malaysia and find out more about the services we offer to entrepreneurs, including when opening a travel agency.