KUCHING: Hotel operators have been urged to adjust their check-in and check-out times to ensure guests receive at least 23 hours of accommodation per day.
Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing has personally conveyed his stance on the matter during a meeting with representatives from several hotel industry associations in Kuala Lumpur on Oct 17.
“I also promised to personally liaise with the Ministry of Human Resources and the Ministry of Home Affairs to help address the issue of labour shortages in meeting guest accommodation needs.
“A 23-hour daily stay is common practice abroad. For example, a guest checks in at 2pm and checks out at noon the next day, or at the latest by 1pm. This is common and does not affect the cleanliness or quality of the accommodation,” he said in a statement posted on his official Facebook page.
He said although it is understandable if the hotels want to save costs and potentially increase profits by adjusting check-in/out times, this issue is not just about industry players maximising profit.
“The guests also want to feel that the money they spend is worth the service they receive. If hotels fail to meet expectations, guests will have an unsatisfactory experience, giving the impression that the hotel prioritises profits over service quality.
“Guests spending their money want to do so with peace of mind. If they are satisfied with their spending, hotel operators will be happy with their multiplied profits.
“Hotel operators have also expressed concerns about extending the stay duration, especially due to staff shortages, which could prolong the cleaning and room preparation process.
“Therefore, I give assurance to hotel operators that I will assist them in negotiating with both ministries to facilitate the hiring of foreign workers,” he added.
He said, at the moment, the hotel industry does not enjoy priority when applying for foreign worker recruitment, and the number of source countries allowed to supply foreign workers is very limited, thus affecting the labour force.
“I will also discuss with relevant departments to find solutions to this issue. This includes giving hotel operators the ease of hiring foreign workers directly, without going through intermediaries.
“In addition, I have directed the National Academy of Arts, Culture, and Heritage (ASWARA) under my ministry to help create courses that provide training in hotel room cleaning and maintenance, which will also offer certification upon completion.
“This will help improve service quality and work efficiency in hotels while boosting the professional image of Malaysian tourism,” he said.
Tiong also has raised the issue of short-term rental homes during a recent cabinet meeting.
“This will be further discussed in the Cabinet Tourism Development Committee meeting, chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
“My ministry will collaborate with other ministries, such as the Ministry of Housing and Local Government to strategise and find solutions to this issue,” he said.
