No need to overregulate hospitality sector as flexibility ensures welcoming environment for guests, says Abd Karim
by Kentigern Minggu · Borneo Post OnlineASAJAYA (Oct 25): Hotel operations and the broader hospitality industry should not be overregulated, said Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.
He said flexibility should be encouraged to ensure a welcoming environment for guests.
“Most hotels and lodging operators are quite flexible, especially when guests request an extended check-out time.
“We don’t want everything to be strictly controlled by the government. This is the hospitality industry, after all it thrives on flexibility and customer service.
“The check-out time is really up to the guest’s negotiation with the hotel management,” he said after handing over water storage tanks at Kampung Serpan Laut, Asajaya today.
He pointed out the regulation of hotel operations, including check-in and check-out times, rests in the hands of local councils and hotels.
While the ministry can offer suggestions on certain aspects of hotel operations, he stressed the ultimate control remains with operators themselves.
On Wednesday, Federal Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Dato Sri Tiong King Sing told the Dewan Rakyat the regulation of hotel operations does not fall under his ministry’s purview.
He clarified that such matters come under the jurisdiction of local governments, although the Tourism Industry Act does require hotels to register with the ministry as tourist accommodation premises.
Tiong said his ministry would soon hold discussions with the Ministry of Housing and Local Government, state governments, and local authorities to address hotel operations.
He said this in response to a question from Bukit Gantang MP Datuk Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal during the question-and-answer session.
The issue came to light after guests raised concerns about hotels that set check-in times from 4pm and check-out by 11am.
Currently, most hotels operate set the time to check-in at 2pm and check-out by 12pm.