MyBHA urges government to issue special package for tourism industry operators

The Malaysian Budget Hotel Association (MyBHA) has called on the government to review and come out with a special stimulus package for the tourism industry that has been affected since the outbreak of COVID-19 in Malaysia.

MyBHA president Emmy Suraya Hussein said operators will now have to bear the costs of operating hotels and paying salaries even though their businesses do not bring in any income.

This has forced them to take steps to shut down their business temporarily while awaiting recovery, thus causing workers to lose their jobs and source of income.

“We would also like to urge the government to take immediate steps to curb any type of online accommodation services that offer accommodation other than hotels and service providers.

“Unlicensed accommodation has long been an industry threat.

"This solution will in a way help the hotel service to recover after the Movement Control Order (MCO) period and the COVID-19 outbreak is over," she said in a statement.

MyBHA represents operators of three-star hotels and below.