KUALA LUMPUR – The Malaysian Association of Hotel Owners (Maho) is seeking the government to allow hotels to take guests for room accommodation and for meetings.
Its president Tan Sri Teo Chiang Hong, in a statement today, expressed hope that the government would lift the ban on interstate and interdistrict travel to revive domestic tourism.
He said since the country’s border is still closed to foreign tourists, hotels in the country depend wholly on domestic tourists to generate revenue.
“Otherwise, many hotels are no longer able to sustain their business or survive any longer. We expect to see a number of hotels closing down.
“Hotels suffered heavy losses last year, with some having to close down for good, resulting in termination of employees, while a number of hotels are still closed for unspecified period, subject to recovery,” he said.
Teo said that since the latest movement control order was implemented last January 13, about six hotels have closed down, while many of those still in business had to resort to putting their employees on a 50% salary cut and on leave without pay.
The Chinese New Year (CNY) festive season is a peak time for hotel business, usually with heavy bookings for rooms and F&B bookings – but unfortunately not so for this year, he added.
As such, he said, Maho is requesting the government for more and extended assistance for the hotel sector, such as allowing an increase in the wage subsidy quantum to RM1,200-RM1,500 without a cap on the maximum number of employees. – Bernama, February 12, 2021
