Check the licence on MOTAC's own search before you pay anything. It takes about two minutes and works for any Malaysian travel company, not only the one quoting through MaldivesQuest.
This guide is part of the trust and transaction clarity hub. How we choose the partner who quotes our readers' trips is covered separately in how MaldivesQuest selects and verifies travel partners.
Why the licence check matters
Operating a travel business in Malaysia without a MOTAC licence is an offence under the Tourism Industry Act 1992. MOTAC has acted against unlicensed agencies, as reported by Utusan Malaysia in May 2024.
A licensed company is accountable to the regulator. That gives you a route to raise a complaint if a booking goes wrong, which an unlicensed seller cannot offer.
Step by step: the two-minute check
- Find the details on your quotation. Note the full company name and the MOTAC licence number. Every quotation that follows a MaldivesQuest brief shows both.
- Open MOTAC's search. Go to motac.gov.my and find "Semakan TOBTAB" (the licence search for tour operating and travel agency businesses). Type the address yourself or use a search engine, rather than a link sent in a message.
- Search by licence number or company name. Either should bring up the record.
- Match three things. The company name, the licence number and the licence status should all line up with your quotation.
- Match the payment account. The invoice and the bank account you pay into should be in the same company's name.
- Keep a screenshot. Save the search result with the date, together with your quotation and receipts.
What the result tells you
| What you see | What it means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Name and number match, status active | Licensed company | Continue, and read the payment and cancellation terms |
| Number matches, name differs | Possibly a trading name, or a mismatch | Ask which registered company issues the booking, in writing |
| Record found but status not active | Licence may have lapsed | Pause and ask the company to explain before paying |
| No record found | Details may be wrong, or no licence | Recheck the spelling, then pause until it is resolved |
Payment checks that go with the licence
The licence check is only half the job. Bookings and payments are made directly with the licensed travel company named on your quotation, so the money should go to that company.
- Pay into an account in the company's registered name, never a personal account.
- Expect a written invoice or receipt showing the company name and licence number.
- Read the deposit, balance date and cancellation terms before paying.
- Be wary of pressure to pay within hours, before you have had time to check.
Common mix-ups when checking
Most failed searches come from small differences rather than missing licences. Try these before you conclude anything.
- Spelling and spacing. Search the core of the company name without "Sdn Bhd", then narrow down.
- Brand versus company. Social media pages often use a brand name, while the licence sits with the registered company.
- Old details. A company may have renewed its licence, so ask for the current number shown on its own letterhead.
If the record still cannot be found after these checks, treat the licence as unconfirmed until the company shows you otherwise.
If something does not match
Pause before paying. Ask the company to explain in writing, and recheck the search with any corrected details.
If your quotation came after a MaldivesQuest brief, tell us through the contact route on the enquiry page. We will look into it with you.
Who should run this check
Everyone paying a Malaysian company for a Maldives trip should run it, whether the quotation came from us, a friend's recommendation or a social media advert. It matters most for large deposits, group bookings and trips booked many months ahead.
To understand what a firm quotation should contain before you even reach this step, read how we distinguish package research from a bookable quotation. The cost lines to expect are in how much a Maldives trip costs from Malaysia.
Questions travellers ask
My quotation shows a licence number but no company name. Is that enough?
The company's trading name is different from the name on MOTAC's record. Is that a problem?
Does a MOTAC licence mean the company is good?
Should I check a resort or Maldivian operator the same way?
Sources and checks
Last reviewed:
- MOTAC, Semakan TOBTAB licence search · motac.gov.my · Checked 11 October 2026
- MOTAC, Frequently asked questions · motac.gov.my · Checked 11 October 2026
- Utusan Malaysia, MOTAC action against unlicensed travel agencies · utusan.com.my · Checked 11 October 2026
Every quotation that follows a MaldivesQuest brief names the issuing company and its MOTAC licence number, so you can run this check before you pay.
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