GEORGE TOWN – The Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH) wants travel authorities to put together the biggest domestic tourism package possible to revive the industry, which has come to a standstill due to Covid-19.
MAH’s Penang chapter chairman, K. Raj Kumar, said an “out of the box” approach is needed to stimulate the sector, which used to be the country’s second-biggest foreign currency earner after manufacturing.
More income tax exemption can be offered to entice Malaysians to travel, and each family could be given a RM100 voucher for hotel stays, he told a press conference here today after the chapter’s annual general meeting.
Present were Penang MAH vice-chairman Ben Ho, who manages Lexis Suite Hotels, and vice-president Khoo Boo Lim, as well as the association’s chief executive, Yap Lip Seng.
Raj said the government needs to put money in the hands of the average family so as to boost domestic consumption and trigger a multiplier effect for the economy.
“We are still bleeding despite the easing of the movement control order, as international travel remains banned globally. Also, the vaccination process will take time. At best, only next year would we see normalcy in some areas.”
It was reported that in 2019, some 3.56 million people held jobs in the tourism industry, one of Malaysia’s biggest employers, making up just under a quarter of nationwide employment.
Raj, who own The Light Hotel, called for politics to be set aside, saying all state governments must support one another.
He expressed a desire to see more Malacca tourists in Penang, and vice versa, as an example.
MAH appreciates the support given by states, he said, but it still requires more discounts from Tenaga Nasional Bhd.
He said a 200-room hotel incurs an electricity bill of RM200,000 a month on average, given their chillers and air-conditioning units.
The loan moratorium must be extended till year-end, while more wage subsidies can be offered to help employers cope with the drastic decline in revenue, as operational expenses remain high, he said.
There are eight hotels closed for rebranding or redesignation in Penang, while most of the 21 hotels that have shut down temporarily are in the process of reopening.
Establishments in city areas are faring better than resorts, which rely almost exclusively on foreign holidaymakers. – The Vibes, March 19, 2021
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