NEW Covid-19 cases linked to Langkawi are no cause for concern as most were detected prior to the resumption of travel to the island and were promptly contained, said hotel groups.

Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH) chief executive officer Yap Lip Seng said it is important to note that the 149 Covid-19 cases among travellers to Langkawi were detected at air and sea entry points.

He said these travellers did not set foot on the island – which is introducing a tourism bubble, whereby only fully vaccinated individuals who have been screened for Covid-19 are allowed to enter.

The case of more than 50 hotel employees in Langkawi testing positive for coronavirus was also dealt with on the dot thanks to health authorities, who took immediate action to minimise further transmission risk, he added.

Yap said the occupancy rate of four- and five-star hotels on the island is at 40%, and reservations continue to be accepted.

“This is because all parties strictly adhere to standard operating procedures (SOP) for epidemic prevention. The level of confidence is high.”

He said hoteliers have emergency plans to manage and implement isolation in case of an outbreak, adding that the plans are necessary as the country moves towards the endemic stage of Covid-19.

A key part of this is the prompt reporting of new cases to local health authorities and industry stakeholders, he added.

Malaysian Budget Hotel Association (MyBHA) president Emmy Suraya Hussein said since the tourism bubble in Langkawi began on September 16, small- and medium-sized hotels have not been doing as well as bigger ones.

Some also suffer staff shortage and need to re-recruit in anticipation of more guests when room rates increase at larger hotels, she added.

“Tourists have been choosing 4-star and 5-star hotels, which have cut down their prices. Before the pandemic, these hotels’ room rate can reach up to RM1,800 per night, but now reduced to a few hundred ringgit.

“Of course, tourists will choose luxury hotels that have complete facilities.”

However, Emmy Suraya said as the room rate increases due to demand, tourists will choose small- and medium-sized hotels and business hotels, adding that the occupancy rate is already on the rise for these premises in the past week.

She said MyBHA sees an increase in the room rate of hotels in Langkawi and the price of weekend flight tickets, as residents of Penang, Selangor and Kuala Lumpur make the island their weekend getaway.

Based on local hotelier feedback, bookings for the weekend after Deepavali next month are almost full, she added.

“The industry here is optimistic about recovery.”

Hotel Zamburger Group business development director Jarod Chia said despite the news of Covid-19 cases among travellers, there have been no room cancellation.

There are also many last-minute bookings, he added.

Chia said the occupancy rate at two Hotel Zamburger establishments is between 8% and 15% since the start of the tourism bubble in Langkawi.

He noted that 4-star and 5-star hotels are offering bigger discounts of up to 60% on room rates.

He said among the health measures implemented by hoteliers are the daily disinfection of rooms and ensuring SOP compliance, such as checking body temperatures and wearing of face masks.

Yap said the resumption of interstate travel will help in the recovery of domestic tourism, adding that hotels in various states have received enquiries about room rates for the year-end holidays.

“Ultimately, the tourism industry will need international tourists to make a full recovery… as Malaysians still have reduced spending power.” – October 10, 2021.