GEORGE TOWN: Penang hotels expect occupancy rates to hit 80% during the upcoming National Day stretch and school holidays, buoyed by strong domestic demand and a growing influx of foreign tourists.
Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH) Penang chapter chairman Datuk Tony Goh said average occupancy now is about 60%, with bookings picking up strongly ahead of the holiday period.
He said the positive trend was evident across both beach and city hotels.
“Currently, occupancy is holding at around 60% and bookings are coming in strongly. We are looking to reach at least 80% in the coming weeks,” he said.
Goh said the international market was also showing encouraging signs, with tourists from China and Indonesia contributing to the increase in bookings.
“The primary market is still domestic, but there is also a good inflow of international tourists,” he said.
He said the sustained demand reflected continued interest in Penang as a tourism destination, with hotels across different segments benefiting from increased visitor arrivals.
The MAH Penang chapter represents 114 hotel members, offering a total of 17,835 registered rooms.
It was earlier reported that four days of annual leave could turn the end of this month into a 10-day break for some, thanks to two public holidays.
Workers can enjoy a 10-day break from this Saturday until the following Monday if they take four days of leave, with Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday falling on Aug 25 and National Day on Aug 31.
The school holidays will also run from Aug 28 to Sept 5 for Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu, and from Aug 29 to Sept 6 for other states, including Penang.
Meanwhile, Shangri-La Rasa Sayang Resort and Golden Sands Resort communications director Datuk Suleiman Tunku Abdul Rahman said occupancy at both resorts was expected to exceed 90% as bookings continued to come in.
He said the resorts would hold a mini fair on Aug 30 to celebrate the National Day, with activities planned throughout the day. The mini fair would also be open to the public, he added.
Meanwhile, Iconic Hotel Group general manager Pauline Chua said many holidaymakers preferred beachfront hotels during the school holidays.
She said bookings had started picking up about a week before the school holidays began.
