THE Malaysian Association of Hotel Owners wants the government to allow hotels to take guests in for room accommodation and meetings.

Its president, Teo Chiang Hong, said in a statement today that he also hoped the government would lift the ban on inter-state and inter-district travel to revive domestic tourism.

He said since the country’s border is still closed to foreign tourists, hotels in the country depend wholly on domestic tourists to generate revenue.

“Otherwise, many hotels are no longer able to sustain their business or survive any longer. We expect to see a number of hotels closing down.

“Hotels suffered heavy losses last year, with some having to close down for good, resulting in the termination of employees, while a number of hotels are still closed for an unspecified period, subject to recovery,” he said.

Teo said that since the second movement-control order (MCO 2.0) was implemented on January 13, about six hotels have closed down, while many of those still in business had to resort to putting their employees on a 50% salary cut and leave without pay.

The Chinese New Year festive season is a peak period for the hotel business, with heavy bookings for rooms and food and beverage reservations, but, unfortunately, it is not so this year, he added.

He said the association is asking the government for extended and additional assistance for the hotel sector, such as an increase in the wage subsidy quantum to between RM1,200 and RM1,500 without a cap on the maximum number of employees.

It also wants the government to increase the discount for Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) bills from 10% to 15% from March to September this year, and extend the moratorium on business and operating licences or permits, the Social Security Organisation’s (SOCSO) Employment Injury Scheme (EIS), deferment or reduction of assessment, as well as review Indah Water Konsortium’s (IWK) monthly fixed charges, which are linked to a property’s assessment value. – Bernama, February 12, 2021.