MELAKA: The state election is set to give Melaka’s hotel industry a boost, with campaign teams, party supporters and voters returning home expected to drive demand for rooms, meeting spaces and function halls.
Bayou Lagoon Park Resort managing director Datuk Marco Seow said the resort had introduced a “Stay Melaka” package for candidates, campaign teams, supporters and voters returning to the state.
He expects enquiries for function halls as well as rooms to increase, with the influx of visitors potentially benefiting restaurants, cafes, transport operators and tourist attractions.
However, Seow cautioned that an election would not necessarily guarantee full occupancy for every hotel.
“Melaka now has a large supply of hotels, serviced apartments and short-term rental accommodations.
“Competition is therefore much greater compared with previous election periods,” he said.
He urged the next state government to attract more major events, help licensed hotels manage rising operating and staffing costs, and step up enforcement against unlicensed accommodation operators.
Shah Beach Resort general manager Dennis Samford said the hotel would offer discounted room rates to political party supporters from a few days before nomination day until polling day.
Dusit Princess Melaka general manager Richard Suter said hotels near campaign venues were likely to see stronger demand, particularly around nomination day and polling weekend.
He said parties and candidates could also book meeting rooms and dining spaces for briefings, dinners and press activities, while longer stays would bring business to retailers and other tourism operators.
Suter called for stronger destination marketing, more meetings and events, improved connectivity through direct flights to the historic city, and closer cooperation between the state government and the tourism industry.
Meanwhile, AMES Hotel director of operations Shaifulbahri Ismail said the hotel had already secured substantial bookings for October and expected demand for meeting spaces to rise due to its proximity to the Melaka International Trade Centre and state administrative centre.
He urged the next state government to allow public agencies to resume holding training programmes and seminars in hotels, saying such business would support the industry beyond the election period.
