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Official MAH Press Release

Much Awaited Recovery Period “Time for Economy to Heal Itself”

KL Much Awaited Recovery Period “Time for Economy to Heal Itself”

MUCH AWAITED RECOVERY PERIOD “Time for Economy to Heal Itself”

Wisma MAH, Ampang (7 June 2020) – Just two days after the announcement of the “Penjana” Economic Plan, the industry is given more hope as we enter “Recovery Movement Control Order” commencing 10 June 2020 till 31 August 2020. The Recovery MCO will see interstate travel being eased, as well as meetings and workshops provided that strict standard operating procedures (SOPs) are adhered to. 

 The announcement today is significant for the tourism industry and it signals the beginning of the recovery of domestic tourism, the lifeline of the industry in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic. Tourism stakeholders had long prepared for this day to come, particularly the hotel industry with its very own guidelines to ensure a clean & safe stay for tourists and guests alike. 

Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH) published its base guidelines for hotels on 1 May 2020, to guide hotels into the new norm of hotel operations, benchmarked against Ministry of Health’s requirements and best practices from other countries and major hotel chains around the world.  

 “Malaysian hotels are ready to receive and serve guests, SOPs had always been part and parcel of hotel operations. In a recent survey we conducted, out of 402 hotels responded, we recorded 96% adoption of SOPs in reference to safety, health and hygiene practices for Covid-19, with the balance minority awaiting reopening of operations,” said Yap Lip Seng, Chief Executive Officer of MAH. 

MAH’s survey also reported a slow but consistent pickup of onward demand or hotel bookings for the coming months. Overall, hotels responded with demand recorded for quarter three and four of 2020 indicating people’s need to travel and that they had taken advantage of promotions and packages hotels had likely introduced in advance. Steady demand is also seen for year 2021, signalling confidence in recovery and the new norm as part of travel. 

 Specifically, Kedah (mainland), Perak, Johor, Pahang & Kelantan is expecting short term or immediate bookings while Langkawi and Negeri Sembilan are looking at year end increased interest. Terengganu, Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Sarawak on the other hand saw bookings recorded consistently for quarter three and four later this year, while Penang, Melaka and Sabah are looking at steady demand growth till quarter one year 2021. 

With the announcement of the Recovery MCO, the industry should be expecting pickup in not only leisure travel but also business travellers. According to Yap, although in general hotels are investing and spending more in compliance to SOPs, the public will not be expecting increased cost of hotel stays with many offering attractive packages and promotions for bookings made directly from the hotels’ websites. 

“With the industry moving into the first stage of recovery (domestic tourism), we need to plan ahead for the next, and that is international inbound market when the borders are opened and eased. This will involve concerted efforts to market and promote Malaysia by both the private sector and the Government, hand in hand,” Yap added. 

Earlier MAH issued a statement to urge Malaysia to take lead in ASEAN tourism, that had traditionally been an important market for Malaysia. The idea of ASEAN as ONE is not new, and this could just be the right timing to embark on it. MAH presented the idea to the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture in an engagement meeting previously. It also suggested preparation for the next two major markets, China and India. 


 
About the Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH)

Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH) is the umbrella body for hotels in Malaysia formed in 1974 and initially established by a group of concerned and dedicated hoteliers to bring about a more dynamic hospitality industry aimed at building a workforce of highly skilled, innovative and disciplined individuals. Its long-term goal was to enhance the efficiency of the hospitality industry, thus, bringing about a more dynamic Malaysian hospitality industry. MAH, as the official national network for the hotel industry, represents more than 900 hotels throughout Malaysia supplying a total of 155,287 rooms which is about 65% of the total number of hotel rooms available as guest accommodation in this country. With 13 chapters across the nation, MAH acts as a voice of the industry, working as one body to promote, protect, represent and advance the interests of its members.

About MAHTEC

MAHTEC Sdn Bhd commenced its fiscal year in 1998 to profile MAH as a human resource development provider and to upgrade the skills and knowledge of staff-in-service in the industry. MAHTEC is the training arm of the Association specializing in developing quality human resources in the hospitality industry. Highly specialized in the areas of Hospitality Skills Training and Managerial Development Training, all programs are facilitated by experienced and qualified Trainers through workshops and practical session.