THE national association for travel consultants in Malaysia has ordered all members to provide full refunds to climbers who have had to scrap plans to ascend Mount Kinabalu after the June 5 earthquake.
MATTA members who do not provide refunds may be “queried” by the Ministry of Tourism and Culture’s licensing division, said a statement by the association, whose vice president inbound, Tan Kok Liang, said: “This is not the time to impose cancellation policies.”
Service provider Sutera Sanctuary Lodges is in the midst of reimbursing customers who have cancelled their climbing packages between June 5 and August 31 this year.
General manager Ravi Karthiravelu said in the same statement: “Rest assured full refund will be made and give us some time to process.”
Authorities had declared a three-week suspension in all climbing activities as it sought to repair damage to key trails on the mountain.
Sabah Park director Jamili Nais meanwhile said: “Rehabilitation and repair works will commenced soon but with a reduced carrying capacity for a start.”
“However, business is as normal for other tour packages to Kinabalu National Park and Poring Hot Springs.”
The earthquake struck Ranau in Sabah on June 5, loosening rocks and boulders on the slopes of Mount Kinabalu in a tragedy that claimed 18 lives, including schoolchildren on a field trip.
