PENANG has launched another new hotel - making it an average of one new hospitality property per month since tourism began generating waves again after the Covid-19 pandemic.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, who launched the Le Meridien Penang Airport and Rackson’s Serviced Apartment near the Penang International Airport, is optimistic that it can boost the island’s growth as a global destination for trade, business, tourism, and innovation.
He highlighted that the construction of the new hotel and serviced apartment is expected to create over 1,000 jobs.
Once operational, the projects will generate approximately 300 direct employment opportunities, he said in his opening speech.
The gross development value of both accommodations is around RM1.5 billion.
Chow said this during a groundbreaking ceremony of the projects at Jalan Mahkamah recently.
Le Meridien Penang Airport, a five-star luxury hotel, will offer 200 rooms to cater to business travellers, leisure guests, and event organisers.
The luxury hotel will be complemented by the Avion Serviced Apartment, offering 608 premium residential units designed for long-term residents and expatriates.
Chow also said that Bayan Lepas will become more developed with the completion of the light rail transit station (LRT) for the airport and a proposed Mitsui direct outlets shopping park to boost retail.
Last year, the airport welcomed nearly seven million passengers, near its full capacity; hence, the fast track move to upgrade the gateway facility now.
The Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions sector of tourism, contributed an estimated RM1.033 billion to the state’s economy, Chow said.
More than 300 hotels in Penang
The Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH) vice-president Datuk Khoo Boo Lim praised the initiative of the state to boost the economy by focusing on manufacturing and services, including tourism, which has led to the mushrooming of hotels here.
MAH alone has 100 members of various-class hotels, including chains such as the Singaporean - own Citadines brand, premiers such as E & Q and G Hotel besides traditional heavyweights such as Rasa Sayang Resort & Spa and Amari Spice Hotel.
If the state takes into account budget hotels, there are now over 300 hotels for the discerning tourist to choose from through online bookings.
While there is concern that the tourism market can sustain such an inflow of investments for hotels, Khoo also cautioned that there is now a worry over an acute shortage of trained staffers, as the hospitality industry needs a set of unique skills such as good mannerisms.
From good chefs to top-notch services in food and beverages besides rooms and housekeeping as well as MICE facilities, hoteliers need to be trained well.
"We are not just in need of workers, we want quality ones so we can serve the guests better and reaffirm Malaysia's standing as a preferred tourism destination."
Khoo said that MAH is now keen to help coordinate training with various schools of hospitality and the public as well as private institutions of higher learning.
He spoke about working with Universiti Institut Teknologi Mara (UiTM) and other institutions to boost the supply of the much-needed demand for trained workers.
Since Covid - 19, many hotels have been relying on foreign labour to help them operate their respective properties with some guests now complaining of subpar services in F & B, rooms and the inability to allow them to check in early. - The Vibes, November 27, 2024.
