Droves of foreign tourists in Georgetown
By V. Sivaji
The local tourism industry is booming again and the stakeholders are all smiles.
With the current festive season and year end holidays, hotels and resorts in Perak, Penang, Kedah are experiencing high occupancy rates.
Penang Hyperlocal spoke to several chairmen of the Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH) in these areas for their views and feedback.
MAH Penang Chapter chairman Dato Tony Goh added that most of the hotels are experiencing positive occupancy numbers.
“The year end season is always a good time for the hospitality industry with Christmas, New Year and school holidays all coming together.
“Next, we are already looking forward to the Chinese New Year season where we expect many guests to return for their CNY reunion dinner gatherings and celebration,” said Goh to Penang Hyperlocal.
Dato Tony Goh – MAH Penang chapter chairman
MAH Kedah/Perlics chairman Eugene Dass added that hotels in Alor Setar and Langkawi island are seeing positive arrivals and occupancy take up.
“We are happy to note that guest arrivals are on the uptake with locals and international travellers coming here. Members reporting occupancy of above 80% heading towards year end
“The year end season is a good time for hoteliers to host Christmas and New Year promotions with good food and fun activities, ” he said.
Eugene Dass – MAH Kedah/Perlis chapter chairman
It is a similar situation in Ipoh as hotels are seeing brisk business with guests from neighbouring states and also influx of foreign tourists.
Meanwhile, MAH Perak chairman Tony Wong added that in November hotels in Ipoh saw occupancy rates from 80 to 90 per cent. As for the month of December, they are experiencing 85 to 95 occupancy rates.
“The majority of the hotels in Ipoh, Taiping and Pangkor are doing well,” said Wong.
Tony Wong MAH Perak chapter chairman (below)
