JOHOR BARU: Hotels here are expecting a surge in bookings over the next few weeks as the PKR national congress draws closer.
Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH) Johor Chapter chairman Ivan Teo said some hotels, especially those around Johor Baru city, have started to see a steady increase in reservations over the past few days.
“Recently, many hotels have been recording a spike in bookings for dates between May 21 and 24 due to the congress.
“We expect the numbers to continue rising in the coming weeks as more party members prepare for the congress,” he said in an interview.
Teo added that some hotels, particularly those in the Johor Baru area, are expected to be fully booked ahead of the event.
Meanwhile, Malaysia Budget and Business Hotel Association (MyBHA) Johor Chapter chairman Jarod Chia said they are expecting to see a surge in the days leading up to the congress.
“Budget and business hotel guests attending such events typically make their reservations at the last minute.
“As such, it is still a bit too early to determine whether there will be a significant spike in bookings.
“However, we believe the event will help boost the local tourism industry one way or another,” he said.
He added that it is common for hotels here to see an uptick in visitors whenever there is an election or a major political event.
On Tuesday, PKR secretary-general Dr Fuziah Salleh said that the party’s 2024 and 2025 annual congress, which was previously scheduled for May 23-25, has been rescheduled to May 21-24.
Dr Fuziah said the adjustment to the dates was made as party president and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has to perform official state duties in conjunction with the arrival of Asean leaders on May 25.
She said the event, which includes the congresses for the party’s youth and women’s wings, will be held at the Persada International Convention Centre here and is expected to draw some 10,000 delegates.
The PKR national congress was initially scheduled to be held on Dec 15 last year at the same convention centre here, with the youth and women’s wing congresses scheduled for Dec 14 at a separate location.
However, it was postponed due to floods that hit several states.
