GEORGE TOWN: A new campaign offering RM20 off per night at participating 1- to 3-star hotels in Penang aims to secure up to 10,000 room bookings, boost domestic tourism and offset competition from cheaper neighbouring destinations.
The three-week “Hello Penang” campaign, a collaboration between Tourism Malaysia, the Malaysian Budget and Business Hotel Association (MyBHA) Penang Chapter as coordinator and Trip.com as the official booking platform, runs until Oct 27.
Bookings made during the promotional period can be used for stays until April 30 next year, with additional cash rebates and other promotions offered by Trip.com and participating hotels.
“To cater for our price-sensitive domestic market, we collaborated with MyBHA and Trip.com to offer reduced-price accommodation,” said Tourism Malaysia northern region director Abdul Hadi Che Man after launching the campaign at Hotel Malaysia here on Monday.
“We want to encourage Malaysians to travel within our country,” he said, adding that Penang was being used as a pilot project before similar collaborations were rolled out with MyBHA chapters in other states.
He said the campaign was backed by growth in both international and domestic tourism.
“Malaysia recorded 28.8 million international visitors between January and August this year, up 2.1% from 28.2 million during the same period last year. Domestic visitor arrivals reached 151.6 million in the first half of this year, a 5.6% increase from 143.5 million in the corresponding period last year.”
He hopes the campaign will stimulate demand for local accommodation while generating economic spillover benefits for tourism-related businesses and local communities.
MyBHA Penang chairman Andy Lau Eng Leong said the campaign was open to all 1- to 3-star hotels in Penang, not just the association’s 70 member hotels.
He said budget hotels offered affordable accommodation without compromising on room quality, with many located in strategic areas.
“Without heavy overheads such as swimming pools and gyms, we are able to provide affordable but quality rooms.”
Lau said the hotel industry was facing several challenges, including competition from short-term rental accommodation, rising minimum wages, e-invoicing and manpower shortages.
“We do not object to short-term rentals. We understand this is a new innovation in the market and cannot be avoided.
“But we want accommodation providers to be regulated, not only to be fair to hoteliers but also to ensure the safety of customers.”
Lau said the campaign was not only about filling hotel rooms but generating business for restaurants, hawkers, attractions, transport operators, retailers and other local businesses.
The collaboration with Trip.com, which has an estimated 6.67 million registered members, is expected to widen Penang’s reach among both domestic and international travellers.
Present were Trip.com Malaysia general manager Stephane Thong and Malaysian Association of Hotels Penang chapter chairman Datuk Tony Goh.
