Hotel group backs Penang's move to manage short-term rentals

PETALING JAYA: The Malaysia Budget and Business Hotel Association (Mybha) fully supports the Penang government's move to regulate short-term rental (STR) accommodation on the island.

Mybha president Datuk Seri Ganesh Michiel (pic) said the move would have a positive impact on the state's hospitality and tourism industry.

"This would also help increase the government's taxable income (through) hotel fees," he said in a statement on Monday (May 29).

He said Penang is the first state to take the initiative in ensuring that the STR business was regulated.

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"Reasonable income and profits will help hoteliers provide good hospitality and tourism services as well as assist the government to collect higher taxes.

"As such, all state governments should take the same initiative to regulate such business as soon as possible.

MBPP announced on Thursday (May 26) that it was banning all forms of short-term rentals, including those found on Airbnb and Booking.com, at private residential properties on the island.

It was reported that certain types of commercial properties are exempted but must obtain approval to offer STR from their respective management corporations or joint management bodies.

In April last year, the state government said it was looking at banning STR at landed and highrise properties to help rejuvenate the hotel industry.