According to the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the objective of travel legislation is to provide a regulatory framework for the proper development and management of tourism activities. Ideally, this contributes to the conservation of natural resources and the preservation of cultural traditions. As an added benefit, travel consumers and organisations benefit from basic legal protection. Tourism law is a unique area of law that includes general government regulations and specific rules of the travel and hospitality industry. According to the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the objective of the Tourism Law is to provide a legal and regulatory framework for tourism development and management, the preservation of cultural traditions and natural resources, and to facilitate the participation of the private sector and local communities in tourism development activities. Domestic air travel has come under scrutiny due to safety concerns, and airlines are streamlining operations and reducing services. Traveling by plane can be a frustrating and time-consuming process. However, there are fundamental laws on the Passenger Bill of Rights that govern how passengers are treated by airlines. The most common type of legislation is a law that sets standards for unique travel situations, such as: if passengers are stuck in a delayed plane or waiting for a delayed flight. Some states do not require, but require travel agents to inform their customers of certain restrictions or public health concerns.
Many states expect travel agents to share State Department travel warnings with their customers. Other states have enacted local laws and opened free tourist centers to boost inbound tourism. However, the creation and enforcement of tourism laws is particularly lax around the world. Not only do some developing countries have poor travel infrastructure, but they also lack resources or protection for non-indigenous visitors. Naturally, popular countries also find it difficult to monitor and enforce laws aimed at protecting tourists, as the large number of unscrupulous visitors and businessmen target tourists. In addition, tourism law also plays an important role in cases or situations related to terrorism, natural disasters, demonstrations and epidemics, where visitors and tourists must be aware of their rights and the safety precautions that should or could be taken at that time. The Tourism Act provides guidance and imposes responsibilities and obligations on industry actors to ensure the safety and well-being of tourists or visitors under their care in cases beyond their control, as outlined above. The tourism and hospitality industry represents a wide range of businesses, including accommodation, restaurants, tourist destinations and attractions, airlines and other means of transportation. Tourism and hospitality are closely linked to laws and regulations. It helps ensure that tourists and industry operators are housed in a fair and equitable environment.
It is also very important that industrial operators are aware of this so that they can avoid legal action or fines against them. Like any other industry, tourism has its own special rules and regulations. General laws such as contracts and tort apply to the tourism industry, while specific laws such as the Tourism Industry Act 1992, the Civil Aviation Act 1969 and its rules and regulations, and the Innkeepers Act 1952 specifically govern the industry in Malaysia. The laws that govern tourism tend to be disorganized and not standardized. However, each tourism law aims to protect consumers and travel organizations. Tourism is a multi-billion dollar industry and Malaysia has generated a huge amount of revenue from tourism. According to the New Straits Times, tourism generated about RM 84.1 billion in revenue for the Malaysian economy in 2018. The industry includes areas such as transportation, accommodation, currency exchange, immigration and customs, duties and taxes, among others. Travel law refers to the regulations that govern the conduct of companies and individuals in the travel industry, while international travel law refers to the laws, processes, agreements, and contracts that govern international travel. Travel law is a somewhat specialized legal topic that could be particularly intriguing, as it may require pursuing a claim in a foreign jurisdiction. It deals with a variety of challenges, such as: international accident disputes, contractual recovery disputes against foreign suppliers, package travel regulations, and compliance with international and domestic regulations. According to Lawrina.com website, the aim is to promote legal principles such as public law, tort law, fiduciary law, labour law and contract law, as well as the regulation of international travel law.