LANGKAWI – The Perlis/Kedah chapter of the Malaysian Association of Hotels is planning to establish peer-to-peer links in Ipoh (Perak), Kelantan and neighbouring Singapore to expedite the tourism industry’s recovery.
Chapter chairman Eugene Alan Dass said such efforts will complement existing efforts by the authorities and their marketing officers.
The chapter is believed to be the first MAH branch to undertake such efforts that come as tourism players adapt to an industry hit severely by the pandemic.
It is counting on mutual benefits with members in other chapters with travel agents, investors, and Tourism Malaysia to help in promoting their properties.
“We used to rely on others to boost our marketing presence but with the new challenges, we felt that our chapter needs to do more for our members. We will collectively move ahead in the new normal,” said Dass after chairing the chapter’s year-end meeting at the Dash Resort Langkawi in Pantai Tengah.
Among those present were MAH chief executive officer Yap Lip Seng, chapter secretary Reginald T. Pereira and honorary treasurer Clement Gerald Paul.
In the past, MAH Perlis/Kedah was mostly preoccupied with operational and technical issues among its 51 members, but in the face of fresh challenges brought on by Covid-19, there is a need to innovate how hotels market themselves, Dass said.
Hotels now faced significant staff shortages, rising living costs and an uncertain outlook, which has emerged despite a rebound in the industry.
As domestic tourism continues to be the main driver of the industry, he said that it is best to extend networking ties with their neighbouring states and regional countries.
Recently, Dass led a small delegation to meet Perak Industrial Resources Sdn Bhd marketing manager Hardeep Kaur Dhaliwal on how to boost tourism in both states.
“We found out, to our delight, that Ipoh tourism is emerging well from the lockdowns and with direct flights coming in, the city can become a beacon for tourism.”
Singaporeans have always become a mainstay arrival in southern Malaysia from Melaka to Johor and of late Perak, but Dass said that MAH wants to attract them to come up north where many of them have relatives and friends residing in.
Dass also expects the staff shortages to be addressed with a better salary package and the return of those who left the hospitality line to become part of the shared services such as Grabfood and transport, as well as to work in factories.
“We welcome new initiatives from the Human Resources Ministry to help us in overcoming staff shortages, especially at the back of house jobs.”
Dass also wants hoteliers to develop packages among the members who operate out of low-rate tourism centres such as in Perlis and Alor Star, saying that there is much to be explored in those areas.
He also urged Tourism Malaysia to improve their international tourism bubble by bringing in more chartered flights and to diversify the packages so the entire country can have a share in the inbound tourism market.
Also, the standard operating procedures must be practical and strict to prevent any Covid-19 infections from disrupting travel, he said, adding that enforcement must be consistent on physical distancing, wearing of face coverings and constant sanitisation. – The Vibes, December 9, 2021
