They also want the government to be fair and to engage with the operators before deciding to implement regulations or new safety standards.
“Campsite operators need to pay attention to both the safety and hygiene aspects of their sites to prevent potential natural disasters, such as flash flood, landslide, lightning strike or even falling trees, and insects or animal attack on campers. Some have called for a Risk Assessment Management System at the beginning of every year to eliminate possible hazards at camping sites and for hosts to ensure that their guests had been sufficiently briefed on the possible risks.
“Regulating the industry will also allow geological experts to determine if an area is safe for camping purposes. A campsite provider in Perak, who requested anonymity, said the government should engage industry players and conduct a proper assessment and pilot project before enforcing any law or standard operating procedures.
“The government should be fair to us as we have also made our contribution to the tourism industry,” he said, adding that his campsite had received visitors from, among others, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand and China.