How we check and date our sources

We cite a fact only after we have opened the source page and seen the claim there. Each cited fact carries the date we looked, so you can judge how fresh it is. Where we cannot find a reliable source, we say so in plain words instead of guessing.

This page explains the steps, because a Malaysian family planning around school holidays and limited leave should be able to trust what they read. It also tells you which items to re-check yourself before paying anyone.

How does a fact get onto a page?

A fact passes through a short routine.

1. We name the claim in one sentence, such as a fee or a rule.
2. We open the page that should hold it and read the claim there.
3. We note the source name, address and the date we opened it.
4. We write the sentence in our own words and attach the source.

Search snippets do not count as a source. If we only saw a claim in a snippet or a forwarded message, it stays out of the page.

Which sources do we trust first?

We prefer sources closest to the decision, in this order.

Rank	Source type	Examples
First	Government and regulators	Immigration, provincial tourism portals, halal authority
Second	Operators and airports	Airline, airport, ferry and park pages
Third	Established media	National newspapers and broadcasters
Last	Reference and blogs	Used for orientation, rarely for numbers

Entry rules such as visas, arrival declarations and levies are cited only from official or dated sources, and we add “check before you fly”. The Bali levy, for example, is shown on the Love Bali portal run by the provincial government.

What do the dates mean?

Every cited fact has an accessed date, and a page also shows when it was last reviewed. These are different things. The accessed date says when we last opened that source, and the review date says when an editor last read the whole page.

Labels such as current or confirm before booking tell you how stable a fact is. Our guide to what “checked on” dates and status labels mean explains each one.

What should you still check yourself?

Time-sensitive items change between our review and your trip. Before you pay, confirm these directly.

• Entry rules and arrival declarations, on the immigration portal.
• Ferry and flight schedules, with the operator.
• Park, temple and attraction fees, on the venue’s own page.
• What your quote includes and excludes, in writing.

For the last point, see how to compare two quotes line by line.

How do we handle places we do not package?

Some destinations are written up as guides only. Our note on how we label editorial-only destinations shows how that is marked on the page. For the wider approach to our editorial rules, see the editorial policy and the methods hub.

What is the next step?

When a number on our page affects your plan, open the linked source and read it yourself. If it has changed, tell us and we will update the page.