Visitors undaunted by RM3 levy
A NEWLY-introduced levy on hotel rooms in Penang aimed at improving the state's collection from the tourism industry has drawn a mixed reaction from domestic and foreign tourists.
Many hotel guests checking out were unaware of the levy, which become effective on June 1, on their hotel stays.
"There is a levy? I just booked four rooms from a booking website. The front office staff at the hotel reception did not tell me anything about it," said a hotel guest who wanted to be known only as Chong.
Chong, who arrived at the hotel in Gurney Drive from Puchong, Selangor, together with 12 family members, said she did not notice the sign put up by the hotel.
"I think RM3 levy a night is okay. However, since I booked four rooms, it is going to be a bit expensive for three nights," she said.
Mariam Abdullah Abbas, 28, said she was aware of the levy, but felt that the middle-income groups would most feel the pinch.
"It is costly to go for a vacation overseas but now travelling locally is expensive too," said the legal adviser from Ipoh.
For David Mclaurin, 36, the amount was small and he did not mind paying it for a good cause.
"RM3 is not much, it is a small price for us to pay," said the Australian. The levy is imposed on some 200 rated hotels in the state by the Penang Island Municipal Council, as announced in the state budget earlier this year.
One to three-star hotel rooms, including budget hotels, guest houses, hostels and dormitories are charged RM2 per room per night, while those rated four star and above are charged RM3 per room per night.
The council sent out circulars earlier this year warning that hotels that did not obey the rule risk having their operating licences revoked under Section 107(1) of the Local Government Act 1976.
Under the act, a local authority in the granting of any licence may set a fee for any trade, occupation or premises in respect of which the licence is granted.
Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH) Penang chapter chairman Dr Mary Ann Harris said the levy collection had gone on smoothly for its member hotels.
"There has been no issue so far. Most websites, especially those under MAH and individual hotels, have put up a notice to inform about the levy and included it in the price list," she said.
Shangri-La's Rasa Sayang Resort and Spa communication director Suleiman Tunku Abdul Rahman said there had been no complaints on the levy.
"It is business as usual and there have been no complaints from guests," he said.
With Visit Malaysia Year 2014 in full swing, travel agents, tourist guides and hotels had expressed concern that the levy might discourage visitors.
The levy, originally suggested to be from RM1 to RM5, was supposed to have started in March, as announced in the State Legislative Assembly in November last year. It was postponed to this month due to objections from hotels. Currently, Penang has 72 star-rated hotels and 100 non-rated lodgings with about 14,700 rooms.
Star-rated hotels in Penang have put up notices to inform guests of the levy imposed.
~News courtesy of New Straits Times~
A NEWLY-introduced levy on hotel rooms in Penang aimed at improving the state's collection from the tourism industry has drawn a mixed reaction from domestic and foreign tourists.
Many hotel guests checking out were unaware of the levy, which become effective on June 1, on their hotel stays.
"There is a levy? I just booked four rooms from a booking website. The front office staff at the hotel reception did not tell me anything about it," said a hotel guest who wanted to be known only as Chong.
Chong, who arrived at the hotel in Gurney Drive from Puchong, Selangor, together with 12 family members, said she did not notice the sign put up by the hotel.
"I think RM3 levy a night is okay. However, since I booked four rooms, it is going to be a bit expensive for three nights," she said.
Mariam Abdullah Abbas, 28, said she was aware of the levy, but felt that the middle-income groups would most feel the pinch.
"It is costly to go for a vacation overseas but now travelling locally is expensive too," said the legal adviser from Ipoh.
For David Mclaurin, 36, the amount was small and he did not mind paying it for a good cause.
"RM3 is not much, it is a small price for us to pay," said the Australian. The levy is imposed on some 200 rated hotels in the state by the Penang Island Municipal Council, as announced in the state budget earlier this year.
One to three-star hotel rooms, including budget hotels, guest houses, hostels and dormitories are charged RM2 per room per night, while those rated four star and above are charged RM3 per room per night.
The council sent out circulars earlier this year warning that hotels that did not obey the rule risk having their operating licences revoked under Section 107(1) of the Local Government Act 1976.
Under the act, a local authority in the granting of any licence may set a fee for any trade, occupation or premises in respect of which the licence is granted.
Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH) Penang chapter chairman Dr Mary Ann Harris said the levy collection had gone on smoothly for its member hotels.
"There has been no issue so far. Most websites, especially those under MAH and individual hotels, have put up a notice to inform about the levy and included it in the price list," she said.
Shangri-La's Rasa Sayang Resort and Spa communication director Suleiman Tunku Abdul Rahman said there had been no complaints on the levy.
"It is business as usual and there have been no complaints from guests," he said.
With Visit Malaysia Year 2014 in full swing, travel agents, tourist guides and hotels had expressed concern that the levy might discourage visitors.
The levy, originally suggested to be from RM1 to RM5, was supposed to have started in March, as announced in the State Legislative Assembly in November last year. It was postponed to this month due to objections from hotels. Currently, Penang has 72 star-rated hotels and 100 non-rated lodgings with about 14,700 rooms.
Star-rated hotels in Penang have put up notices to inform guests of the levy imposed.
~News courtesy of New Straits Times~
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