MOTAC Licence
The licence that shows a Malaysian travel agency is registered, and how to check it before you pay.
A MOTAC licence shows that a Malaysian travel agency is registered with MOTAC, the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture. It is the first thing to look for before you pay a deposit for a Vietnam package. It tells you the agency exists on the official list, nothing more.
How will you meet it on the trip?
You will see it on websites, brochures and quote letters, as a licence number. Treat a number as something to check, not something to trust on sight.
MOTAC’s homepage links to a travel agency check1. Please open that page yourself and confirm that it still works, as links change.
What is the tip?
Ask for the licence number in writing, check it on the official page, and note the date you checked. Our guide to verifying a licensed Malaysian travel agency shows the steps. Read the red flags and the questions to ask before accepting a quote as well.
Which related terms will you see?
- Travel agency check: a lookup on the official site to confirm a licence.
- Deposit: the first payment, covered in deposit and payment terms.
- Quote: the written price and inclusions, compared in two quotes on equal terms.
More guidance sits in Food and daily travel.
If you have a quote and want a second pair of eyes, send us the agency name and the quote lines and we can walk you through the licence check and what to confirm before a deposit.
Common questions
What is MOTAC?
MOTAC is the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture in Malaysia. It licenses travel agencies that operate in the country. A licence shows an agency is registered, but it does not rate the agency's service. Treat it as a first filter, then read the quote and the terms.
How do I check whether an agency is licensed?
Ask the agency for its licence number, then check it on the official MOTAC channels. The MOTAC homepage links to a travel agency check. Do not rely on a picture of a licence sent in chat, since an image can be copied. Check the number yourself.
Should I pay a deposit before I verify?
Verify first. A short check takes minutes and costs nothing, while a payment to the wrong party can be hard to undo. If an agency avoids giving a licence number or hurries you to pay, pause and read the red flags guide.
Sources
- MOTAC's homepage links to a travel agency check (Agensi Pelancongan, TOB/TAB) at motac.gov.my/kategori-semakan-new/agensi-pelancongan-tobtab/. MOTAC. Link read from the homepage; the lookup page itself was not opened. Owner: click-test it.
Keep planning
If you have a quote and want a second pair of eyes, send us the agency name and the quote lines and we can walk you through the licence check and what to confirm before a deposit.