ALOR STAR – The Perlis and Kedah chapter of the Malaysian Association of Hotels has called for the tourism rebate of RM1,000 to be increased to RM5,000 for individuals and RM10,000 for families.
Chairman Eugene Dass also suggested the introduction of new tax incentives, such as road tax and medical tourism rebates, for frequent travellers in a bid to boost domestic tourism.
Speaking to The Vibes, he said the current rebate covers only one trip a year, and that an increase will encourage Malaysians to travel more frequently.
The Finance Ministry should consider allowing more tax incentives and rebates for domestic tourism in the next fiscal year, he said, as global travel is unlikely to see a full recovery in the next two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“There is already encouraging news with the lifting of the conditional movement control order, and a vaccine to be introduced next year.”
Dass said foreign visitors are unlikely to flock back anytime soon, with many traditional markets, such as India, China, Europe and the Americas, hit hard by the coronavirus.
He said Malaysian hoteliers need to redouble their efforts to ensure their premises are sanitised, and their workers, protected.
Dass, who manages the Fuller brand of hotels here and in Kulim, as well as flagship property Star City Hotel, said hotel owners should brush up on their hospitality skills and offer retraining to retrenched employees.
“It is also time for hotels dependent on foreign workers to release them. Let us rehire locals.” – The Vibes, December 15, 2020
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