{
  "id": 19109893,
  "title": "RM121.3bil domestic travel market puts bus booking access in focus",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/09/rm121-3bil-domestic-travel-market-puts-bus-booking-access-in-focus",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-11-09T06:22:52.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/business/economy/2026/11/1573919/rm1213bil-domestic-travel-market-puts-bus-booking-access-focus"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Malaysia's domestic travel market surged to RM121.3 billion in 2025, representing a 13.6% year-on-year increase. The Statistics Department reported 290.1 million domestic visitors, a 11.5% rise, with visits to relatives and friends accounting for 35.6% of trips. Express bus operators are capitalizing on this trend as the government tightens control over ticket sales. The Land Public Transport Agency (APAD) directive mandates express-bus ticket sales through licensed terminals and registered operators' online sales platforms, originally set to start on Nov 1 but now being phased in. MARA Liner CEO Wan Agyl Wan Hassan emphasized the need to make bus travel more accessible and attractive, highlighting the importance of reliable, affordable, and accessible services. Operators currently utilize a mix of company websites, online travel platforms, agents, and terminal counters, with MARA Liner employing six online booking channels. The different channels cater to passengers with varying booking preferences, while online platforms aid in promoting services, increasing route visibility, and enabling comparisons. Other operators follow similar practices, with Konsortium E-Mutiara and Johor-based Sin Yong Express utilizing four online booking partners and WhatsApp, respectively. The industry's reliance on multiple customer access points raises concerns about whether familiar platforms will remain available during the transition period. APAD has assured that existing booking platforms can continue to be used until further notice. Consumer groups highlight the importance of retaining the ability to compare fares, promotions, schedules, and services across different operators, while transport minister Anthony Loke stated that operators with their own websites could integrate booking systems with terminal systems. Terminal fees and commissions are expected to be lower than those charged by online agents. Industry groups, however, have expressed concerns over implementation, consultation, and competition.",
  "summary": "KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s domestic visitors spent RM121.3 billion in 2025, up 13.6 per cent from a year earlier, underscoring the travel market express bus operators are seeking to tap as the Government tightens control over ticket sales.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}