LANGKAWI – The hospitality industry is banking on clear standard operating procedures (SOPs) from the National Security Council following the prime minister’s hint that the country will soon reopen its international borders with priority travel lanes for fully vaccinated visitors.
Several Malaysian Association of Hotels’ (MAH) state chapters told The Vibes that the SOPs should be concise and practical to ease the process of welcoming foreign tourists and visitors.
Its Perak and Kedah/Perlis chairmen Vincent Ee and Eugene Alan Dass said the relevant authorities should be conscious that with every SOP change or backtrack in policies, the hospitality industry stands to lose money.
They added that the industry is already facing an acute shortage of staffers, SOPs adherence and higher operating costs due to inflation.
After his re-election to head the Kedah/Perlis chapter the third term, Dass said recovery for the industry remains daunting as it has to contend not just with a pandemic but the escalating Russia-Ukraine conflict.
“Ukraine and Russia are inbound tourism markets for our country, so we need to tread carefully.”
He added that it is tough to lead the chapter because the members are seeking direction and answers from the authorities to clear up any uncertainties.
“We were caught in the blame game many times with MAH being questioned over speaking out on certain issues. I’d like to state that after working closely with the association’s national committee, I saw its struggles, suggestions and solutions, more than often, fall on deaf ears.
“It is frustrating dealing with a lot of uncertainty, compounded by frequent policy changes and even the changes in the government of the day. We also have challenges at the state level when data is needed, but participation is poor.”
He also wants to work with Tenaga Nasional Bhd to lower utility charges to allow tourism businesses to cope with operating costs.
Separately, he is also looking to address minimum wages for hotel staff.
Following the election, the MAH Kedah/Perlis chapter committee 2022-to-2025 line-up is lead by Dass of Star City Hotel Alor Star, with vice-chairman Razmi Rahmat of Adya Hotel Langkawi, secretary Reginald Thomas Pereira of Tg Rhu Resort, treasurer Hafez Mohd Hashim of Rebak Island Resort & Marina.
The committee members include Karan Singh of The Danna Langkawi, Johan Eusoffe Abdullah of The Datai Langkawi, Effendi Mohd Ramley of Dash Resort Langkawi, Leslie Pereira of Holiday Villa Beach Resort & Spa Langkawi and Clement Paul of Pelangi Beach Resort & Spa. Ahmad Fauzi Romli of Casa Del Mar is the chapter’s internal auditor.
For Perak, the chapter is led by Ee of Flemington Hotel, vice-chairman Tony Wong of 1969 Business Suites, secretary Kenn Chah of Ipoh French Hotel and treasurer Cheong Kee Wang of Travelodge Ipoh.
The committee members are Sherry Chan of Regalodge Ipoh, Muhamad Hairil Kumaradas of Symphony Suites, Dina Azima Mohamed Masum of Hotel Taiping Perdana, Philip Choong of Impiana Hotel Ipoh and Tharamarajah Thangavelu of Hotel Excelsior. Joanne Chee of MU Hotel is the internal auditor. – The Vibes, March 6, 2022
