SHAH ALAM - Accommodation prices are likely to rise if the government enforces a policy requiring a minimum 23-hour stay per day at hotels.
Malaysian Hotel Association (MAH) president Datin Christina Toh said the implementation of this policy will undoubtedly lead to higher operating costs, which may be reflected in increased room rates.
"Hotels have already faced rising costs with the new minimum wage set to take effect in February 2025.
"This additional financial pressure will further burden an industry that is already struggling," she said in a statement on Monday.
Previously, Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing urged hotel operators to realign check-in and check-out times to ensure that users received a minimum stay of 23 hours per day.
He said a 23-hour stay was common in other countries and did not affect cleanliness or accommodation quality and in fact, users felt they get good value for the services provided.
Toh said the proposal was impractical and would create various challenges for hotel operators and guests.
She noted that extending the stay duration would lead to difficulties in maintaining cleanliness, safety and room quality, especially as the sector was struggling with a labour shortage, particularly in housekeeping.
"Typically, the standard check-in time worldwide was between 2pm to 3pm, with check-out set between 11am and noon.
"This time is essential to give hotels enough opportunity to maintain these standards.
"Expecting hotels to clean rooms within one to two hours, especially during peak seasons or high occupancy rates, will compromise the levels of cleanliness, safety and quality," she said.
She added that while the ministry has offered assistance to facilitate discussions with other ministries, MAH emphasised that the drafting of a 23-hour stay standard nationwide required more than just promises.
Toh said it was better to fully address the labour shortage before implementing any new policies that could worsen operations.
"Before imposing the 23-hour stay standard, we urge the government to first tackle the ongoing labour shortage that continues to burden the industry.
"We call for action on other critical issues such as short-term rental regulations and utility costs that have been consistently raised by the industry in various meetings," she said.