Malaysia

Melaka hoteliers doubt polls will bump up occupancy rate

With pandemic still raging, political supporters likely to only make day trips, says state MAH

Updated 4 years ago · Published on 21 Oct 2021 8:50AM

Melaka hoteliers doubt polls will bump up occupancy rate — Hotels in Melaka are still struggling on weekdays, says the state chapter MAH, despite the relaxation on interstate travel rules earlier this month. – AZIM RAHMAN/The Vibes pic, October 21, 2021

by Rachel Yeoh

MELAKA – Even though the Melaka election will take place next month, hotels are not optimistic about the possibility of higher occupancy rates due to lingering concerns about the Covid-19 pandemic.

Khairulnizam Kasim, chairman of Malaysian Association of Hotels’ Melaka chapter, said there have been no hotel bookings made since the announcement of the nomination and election days on Monday.

The Election Commission (EC) has set November 8 for nominations and November 20 as polling day, giving parties 12 days to campaign.

“We really have no idea what will happen in terms of room occupancy because, unlike the previous elections, where supporters come and help with the campaigning, this time, we still have Covid-19.

“Many may decide to make day trips instead of staying on, and we may lose out if that is the case,” he told The Vibes.

Khairulnizam, however, expressed some optimism that the situation will improve after the reopening of state borders earlier this month.

However, hotels are still struggling on weekdays, he said.

While local tourists flock to the state, made famous by the inner city’s recognition as a Unesco World Heritage Site, on the weekends, nothing changes on weekdays.

Hang Tuah Jaya Municipal Council president Shadan Othman says new tourism products will be introduced to draw tourists back to Melaka. – AZIM RAHMAN/The Vibes pic, October 21, 2021

However, some places of interest have recorded large crowds. Melaka Zoo has seen 10,000 visitors since its opening on October 1, taking in RM800,000 in sales.

Last Sunday, Hang Tuah Jaya Municipal Council president Shadan Othman had said new tourism products will be introduced, including Lepak Station.

Lepak Station is a night market concept similar to Jonker Walk at the Ayer Keroh Heritage Square, and is expected to start at year-end.

“This project is part of special tourism zones in Ayer Keroh as new night attractions and tourism sites, apart from those in Melaka town,” he said.

The Melaka polls were called after the state assembly was dissolved by Governor Tun Mohd Ali Mohd Rustam after Datuk Seri Sulaiman Md Ali lost majority support as chief minister.

This will be the first election in Malaysia after the kick-off of the national vaccination programme.

The last state election to take place was in Sabah, which triggered a fresh wave of Covid-19 infections spreading across the country. – The Vibes, October 21, 2021