LUMUT ,Dec 28– The occupancy rates in hotels nationwide are expected to continue to increase next year when the recovery movement control order is lifted at the end of this year.
Tourism Malaysia Domestic and Events Division senior director Datuk Ammar Abd Ghapar said they are targeting an increase of 20%, but did not state the current occupancy rate.
He said the increase in bookings is also, among others, driven by the launch of the Malaysian holiday special package for civil servants in September to encourage civil servants to go on a vacation in the country.
“We request civil servants less affected economically to travel and help the country’s tourism industry. Some of them also get bonuses,” he told reporters yesterday.
Ammar also reminded hotel and resort operators to conduct disinfection exercises to boost tourists’ confidence to stay at their premises.
“We will not compromise with non-compliance, and insist that standard operating procedures be adhered to.”