Gloomy long weekend, festive holidays for Pahang hotel industry

By T.N. Alagesh - May 14, 2021 @ 1:08pm

KUANTAN: The long weekend in conjunction with Hari Raya Aidilfitri along with the school holidays was supposed to be great for hoteliers.

Sadly, not this year.

The ban on all inter-district and interstate travel from May 12 to June 7 following the implementation of the movement control order (MCO) due to the spike of Covid-19 cases continues to heap misery on the hospitality industry.

Malaysian Association of Hotels Pahang chapter chairman Patrick Tee described Hari Raya Aidilfitri as usually "a super-peak season" when those in the hotel industry having their hands full entertaining guests.

"Long weekends followed by the festive and school holidays are the perfect combo for holidaymakers and assure good times for hotels but not this year. Even last year (Aidilfitri) inter-district travel was still allowed and there were some bookings.

"Before the inter-district ban was imposed, hotels were still receiving bookings for the long weekend. However, the announcement on the inter-district ban forced many people to cancel their bookings leaving the hotels in uncertainty," he said when contacted.

Meanwhile, Tee said hotels at top tourist destinations in Pahang which usually record an increase in occupancy during the festive and holiday seasons have been eerily quiet with little movement.

"The car parks are empty, no people movement, no dine-in at restaurants and practically zero customers. Hotels remain open but there are no people walking in to book rooms.

"Those in the hotel industry are not sure what is going to happen beyond June 7. Extending the interstate and inter-district ban is going to be tough.....there are already talks for hotels to shut down either partially or fully," he said.

Meanwhile a hotel operator in Cherating near here described the area as deserted with very few people at the beach.

"Cherating used to be filled with people especially youths on motorcycles but this time most of the chalets are closed and there are only a few visitors.

"Usually hotels and resorts will be reluctant to allow their staff to go on leave during the festive season as they anticipate huge arrival of guests but it is not the case this time. Most premises have assigned only a few staff on duty," she said.