Launch of the hotel fee online system

Soon, hotels in Penang who make late payments for their hotel fees will be charged interest.

The announcement comes following the launch of the online hotel fee system which will enable hotels to pay their dues at the “tip of the fingers”.

State Exco for Tourism and Creative Economy, YB Yeoh Soon Hin stressed that contactless payments has gained momentum following the Covid-19 pandemic and the need for such payments will only make the transaction more convenient.

He also stressed that the money collected will go back to stakeholders in the form of promotions and marketing strategies to benefit them and also the state’s economy.

Also present was Penang City Council Mayor Dato Dr A Rajendran, Chief Minister Incorporated (CMI) general manager Datin S Barathi, Malaysian Association of Hotels (Penang chapter) chairman, Tony Goh, Penang Global Tourism (PGT) chief executive officer Ooi Chok Yan and Penang Convention & Exhibition Bureau (PCEB) CEO Ashwin Gunasekeran.

Lending support was Tourism Malaysia Northern Region Director Shahrul Aman, his deputy Siti Hajar, Carolyn Leong representing Malaysian Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA Penang), Penang Museum director Haryany Hohamed, AirAsia Penang director, Ken Tan,  Malaysia Budget & Business Hotel Association (MyBHA), Penang Chapter chairman, Andy Lau among others.

“The introduction of the online fee hotel system is an innovative online platform with cashless payment capabilities that marks a game-changing milestone for the Penang tourism sector.

“We firmly believe that digitalization plays a pivotal role in modernizing our economy. The comprehensive data collection holds tremendous value in understanding tourist travel patterns and preferences.” said Yeoh during his speech at the launching ceremony at The Wembley – A St Giles Hotel here.

The initiative is part of the Penang Tourism Master Plan that sets goals for sustainable tourism development. It strengthens Penang’s competitive positioning as a premier destination.

“As we move towards becoming a green and smart state by 2030, digitalization is an essential aspect of modernizing our economy. With this information, we can tailor our marketing efforts accordingly to meet their needs and expectations.  

“This information can help us make informed decisions regarding the expansion of facilities and the promotion of certain types of hotels. This digitization initiative will benefit all parties involved in the tourism sector, including tourists, hoteliers, and airlines,” added Yeoh.

He also highlighted that E-wallets provided a convenient and safe way for people to make transactions without physical contact. 

“By promoting e-payment options, hotels can streamline their operations. The advantages of e-payment systems for hoteliers are numerous. They provide greater flexibility and convenience, allowing hoteliers to make payments anytime and anywhere,: said Yeoh.

Lending support