WHILE the tourism industry has been one of the most badly impacted industries during this Covid-19 pandemic, Grand Orient Hotel in Seberang Perai has other ideas to keep their boat afloat.
The hotel seized the opportunity to collaborate with corporate companies when accommodation and other activities were lifted in certain movement control orders (MCOs) imposed by the authorities in the past.
Grand Orient Hotel manager James Chang said when accommodation was allowed in previous MCOs, the hotel had reached out to corporate companies in the state, offering reasonable hotel room deals, specifically for economic frontliners and essential workers.
“We implemented this approach not only to generate income but to show our appreciation for those working hard day in and day out on the grounds, our frontliners.
“We did suffer a lot, especially when the hotel’s occupancy rates hit various lows in the span of one year. But it was important to stay positive and venture into other alternatives.
“This way, we were able to build new relationships with many corporate companies. This part of our lives, it is called helping one another,” Chang told Buletin Mutiara during an exclusive interview recently.
Chang also said he hoped the issue of Covid-19 would come to an end soon because the longer it prolongs, all of us would stare at a bleak future.
“We strongly plead to the Federal Government to plan and structure an even more effective approach to ensure we pass through this storm very soon. This is just too much to take, especially for us in the tourism industry,” he added.
Chang also applauded the state Tourism and Creative Economy (PETACE) office for always being steadfast in helping the affected tourism industry players in the state.
“We hope to reach the respective phases under the National Recovery Plan as soon as possible to enable the reopening of hotels and other activities involved,” Chang added.
Story by Kevin Vimal
Pix by Law Suun Ting