Working together
ARE budget hotels in Kuala Lumpur ready for Visit Malaysia Year 2020?
The short answer is no. Some budget hotels in KL are still operating illegally – without a licence – which is a major concern for many of the stakeholders in the tourism industry. The most common reason why they are unable to obtain operating licences is failure to meet safety standards.
However, there are already measures being taken to help budget hotels become legal, thanks to Malaysia Budget Hotel Association (MyBHA), whose president Leong Pui Kun said that the association will assist hoteliers in getting their licence from Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL).
There are currently more than 500 budget hotels in KL city and 200 are operating without a licence.
Leong urged budget hoteliers to join MyBHA so that their interests will be taken care of.
“We need to unite and work together to ensure the success of Visit Malaysia Year 2020 next year. We welcome all budget hoteliers to join the association, to grow our business together,” he shared.
According to Leong, the revenue from budget hotels in the country contributes a major part to the total hotel industry. It is a developing market, growing in synergy with budget airlines like AirAsia, Malindo and Firefly.
Meanwhile, MyBHA Kuala Lumpur Chapter chairman Kenneth Oh said that budget hoteliers need to buck up and get ready for Visit Malaysia Year 2020.
“KL is a hub for tourists coming into Malaysia, before they go to other destinations around the country. So when they come, we want them to have good experiences, we want them to feel welcomed. We’re working together with Tourism Malaysia and other states to make this a reality,” he said.
Oh stressed that budget hotels need to upgrade their safety standards, as well as their services and facilities not just for next year but beyond that too. He added that tourism must be multipliable and sustainable, constantly bringing funds into the country.
“Visit Malaysia 2020 is a good start but it must not stop there, we must be able to maintain it after that. The keyword is unity. If everyone is willing to cooperate and work together and not against one another, then there is a better chance of survival and success,” said Oh.