AFTER being appointed as the new Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH) Penang chairman in March this year, veteran hotelier Tony Goh has set his sights on lifting the hotel industry to greater heights. His tenure ends in 2025.
In an interview with Buletin Mutiara recently, The Wembley St Giles Hotel Penang general manager opined that it was not easy to juggle his duties, especially when the battered tourism and hospitality industry was on the verge of recovering, amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Of course, it is an uphill task for all of us in the hotel industry as we were badly affected when the pandemic struck our shores two years ago. We have suffered tremendously, and things are slowly gaining pace now, especially when the domestic and international tourists are making their way to Penang.
“This should not be seen as an overnight success as the sector’s recovery will take quite some time, but we foresee that the outlook will be brighter after six months.
“We could not guarantee an immediate recovery as everything needs to take time,” he said, describing the situation as like a patient, who was discharged from an intensive care unit (ICU) and needed time to heal.
On the influx of tourists, who have been flocking into the state ever since the easing of restrictions, Goh pointed out that many of the hotels were fully booked during the Hari Raya Aidilfitri period early this month.
“Many domestic tourists took the opportunity to visit Penang and many hotels had received an overwhelming response,” he said.
Goh, however, said the manpower and labour issues remain one of the key issues to be resolved.
“Every hotel is facing a shortage of manpower. This is because many had left the hospitality and tourism industry which was very badly impacted during the pandemic.
“Some of them have joined the manufacturing industry while others have even become entrepreneurs themselves ever since.
“It’s not easy to persuade them back at the moment as some are earning higher income now,” he said.
“We also expect an influx of tourists to come in the first week of June in view of Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s birthday on June 6 (Monday).”
Touching on ways to promote the state’s tourism, Goh added that the upcoming Malaysia International Travel Mart (MITM) Travel Fair 2022 would exhibit the diverse faces of Penang at the three-day fair in the Mid Valley Exhibition Centre in Kuala Lumpur from July 8 to July 10.
“The fair, to be organised by the Malaysian Chinese Tourism Association (MCTA), is one of the ways to promote the state’s tourism as well,” he added.
On the RM1,500 minimum wage, Goh hoped that the Federal Government could take into account the challenges and burden the industry is facing.
When asked about the short-term stay brouhaha lately, Goh was on the same page with the state as he expressed his concerns on the number of ‘strangers’ staying at apartments or condominiums.
“This issue should be controlled for safety and precautionary measures. For instance, we will be uneasy when we encounter many unknown individuals who are in our neighbourhood for staycation using several facilities.
“After all, we are paying the same amount of maintenance fees as well and those who visited the state for vacation should instead opt for hotels,” he added.
State MAH vice-chairman Kevin Cheah also shared his thoughts on a few initiatives to garner attraction to the Penang mainland.
“There are plenty of tourism hotspots on the mainland, which can be an eye-opener for outstation and international tourists as well.
“The tourist spots on the mainland such as in Tambun, Kampung Agong, Penaga, Butterworth, Kepala Batas and other areas should be widely promoted.
“In fact, a balanced tourism is needed between island and mainland to spur the tourism industry,” he said.
“Promotional efforts must be done to promote Seberang Perai’s hidden beauties,” said the Iconic Hotel general manager when interviewed by Buletin Mutiara last week.
On the mainland hotels’ performance, Cheah noted that many of them have been faring well after various economic sectors have been opened up.
At the end of the session, Buletin Mutiara was treated to a sumptuous buffet dinner.
Story by Edmund Lee
Pix by Muhamad Amir Irsyad Omar