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Govt shouldn’t over-regulate hotels, says Sarawak tourism minister

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Government Should Not Over-Regulate the Hospitality Industry

PETALING JAYA: Sarawak Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, has stated that the government should not over-regulate the hospitality industry, particularly hotels.

Flexibility is Key

According to Hamzah, most hotels are already quite flexible, especially when guests request a later check-out time. He emphasizes that hotels should be encouraged to be flexible when it comes to check-in and check-out times. "We don’t want everything to be strictly controlled by the government. This is the hospitality industry, which thrives on flexibility and customer service. Check-out times are really up to the guest’s negotiation with the hotel management," he was quoted as saying.

Minister’s Call for Flexibility

Last week, Federal Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Tiong King Sing, urged hotel operators to adjust their check-in and check-out times to ensure their guests get at least 23 hours of accommodation. Tiong promised to negotiate with the Human Resources and Home Ministries to allow an intake of foreign workers in the hotel industry to enable quicker turnovers in preparing rooms. However, he later clarified that the regulation of hotels falls under the purview of the respective state governments, monitored by local authorities.

Hoteliers’ Perspective

In response to Tiong’s call, three hoteliers told FMT that manpower shortage and costs were the main reasons for maintaining their current practice of 21-hour accommodation. However, they emphasized that they still allowed early check-ins and late check-outs if rooms were available.

Conclusion

The debate surrounding check-in and check-out times may be a minor issue, but it reflects a broader concern about the role of government regulation in the hospitality industry. While some may argue that regulations are necessary to ensure a certain level of standardization, others believe that hotels should be free to set their own rules to provide the best possible service to their guests. Ultimately, a balance must be struck between the needs of hotels and the needs of their customers.

FAQs

Q: What is the current check-in and check-out time policy in Malaysia?
A: The current policy is not explicitly stated, but most hotels follow a 3pm check-in and noon check-out rule, with flexibility for early check-ins and late check-outs if rooms are available.

Q: Why do hoteliers maintain a 21-hour accommodation policy?
A: Hoteliers cite manpower shortage and costs as the main reasons for maintaining this practice.

Q: Who regulates the hospitality industry?
A: The regulation of hotels falls under the purview of the respective state governments, monitored by local authorities.

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