Penang Waiting For Best Time To Waive Hotel Fees State Exco

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The Penang state government has clarified that it will not be imposing the waiver for hotel fees effective this month as the state is still monitoring the situation
State executive councillor for Tourism, Arts, Culture and Heritage Yeoh Soon Hin said the commencement period for the waiver is still under review
This is so since no travelling is allowed during the movement control order period in Malaysia, Yeoh said
He added that the state works closely with tourism industry players, such as the Malaysian Association of Hotels (Penang chapter)
He noted that MAH Penang had suggested for the waiver of the hotel fees following the decision by the Kedah government to waive Langkawi hotel room fees
“It would be a misunderstanding to say that the waiver is effective now since there is no travelling allowed at present," Yeoh said in a statement
“Although the state government has promised to look into waiving hotel fees for six months, I would like to stress that the waiver is not effective yet as we are still monitoring the best timing for it to be enforced," Yeoh added
Yeoh was clarifying a statement made by Penang Hoteliers Association (PHA) chairperson Lim Mee Lee in the press yesterday that hotel fees would be waived
The move was announced during the recent Penang Tourism Roundtable Discussion: Penang Tourism, The Next Norm
Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow had then said the waiver is an incentive to be offered as the impact of Covid-19 lessens and travel demand increases to boost Penang marketing efforts
Yeoh, meanwhile, said this is to ensure that the waiver would benefit the industry in a timely manner and support the industry to rebound and maximise growth
He added that the state will work with all tourism players and stakeholders in order to deliver an adequate and desirable environment to revive tourism at the most opportune moment
"Penang government welcomes constructive feedback from tourism players and joint efforts from top to bottom to rebuild the state tourism together," Yeoh said
Meanwhile, MAH Penang chapter welcomed the consideration made by the state government to look into the waiver of hotel fees
Its chairperson Khoo Boo Lim said MAH Penang members have been informed of the suggestion to suspend collection of hotel fees for six months
“We welcome this proposal as it will help to encourage more local visitors when they start to travel again as any initiatives taken to boost tourism is most welcome by the hotel industry," Khoo said
“The hotels have suffered a lot from this crisis and we have to go back to basics in order to build back what the hotels have lost," he added
“We expect tourism to be one of the last industries to pick up so I would like to propose to the state government to provide some travel incentives for these visitors so that Penang will be the first choice of destination for them,” he stressed
Kedah had agreed to waive hotel room fees for all hotels in Langkawi for six months effective March to support the industry which is one of the worst hit by Covid-19
MAH's counterparts, Melaka Tourism Association (MTA), Malaysian Association of Tours and Travel Agents Melaka, and Malaysia Hotel Budget Association Melaka, have also voiced similar sentiments early this month for waiver of the Heritage and Tourism taxes from April to December.  - Mkini

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