SPOTLIGHT
THE MALAYSIAN
5
PQ: The completion of the Grand Hyatt (2012), St. Regis (2014) and many more are coming into the market until 2015. This may set new benchmarks for the Malaysian hotel industry. Are we anticipating more flight schedules and new routes? RP: Connectivity to Malaysia is still a problem. We should encourage more low An improved global connectcost carriers in the ASEAN countries to ivity and accessibility allows to fly to Malaysia as well as to increase their create more demand in place frequency of flights especially to major cities and tourism-concentrated areas. Without these efforts, Malaysian hotel industry will not expand substantially regardless Malaysia has great hotels. Further discussion is needed among various stakeholders i.e. the government, Reginald T. Pereira CEO, Malaysian Assocciation of Hotels local authorities, industry players etc. by Hazrul Izwan in order to create flawless policies and Reginald T. Pereira is currently the guidelines. Perhaps some attractive on the business traveler side, Malaysian Chief Executive Officer of the Malaysian incentives for the industry. hotel industry needs a serious makeover, Association of Hotels (MAH). As the official especially the infrastructure part. Greater national network for the hotel industry, I believe our average room rates will global connectivity and accessibility to MAH working as one body to promote, experience a significant increase at least Malaysia coupled with the new policy on protect, represent more than 600 hotels on par with Thailand. The take up rate by visa issuances allow us to create more as well as to advance the interest of its the domestic travellers will not be affected demand from business segment. Special members in Malaysia. and Malaysian can still afford to pay as arrangements for visa issuance will Malaysia is heading towards high income definitely encourage more multinational Reginald obtained a Diploma in Hotel economy. companies do their internal seminar/ Management from The Les Roches School conferences for their staff here. This of Hospitality Management in Switzerland PQ: In Europe, a budget hotel is shown could be one of Malaysia’s unique selling and has an MBA (Human Resources). more to be resilience to the economic propositions. Reginald is a Certified Instructor of the downturn and it penetrates the market American Hotel and Lodging Educational quicker than a branded hotel. Is there PQ: As a closing statement, what is the Institute. Reginald is the first Malaysian to any room for international branded outlook for Malaysian hotel industry in the receive the Institute’s Lamp of Knowledge budget hotels exploring this opportunity next six to 12 months in terms of rating Award for Outstanding Hospitality in Malaysia? and classification as well as the occupancy Education- International in June 2007. RP:Some of the branded budget hotels rate and room rate? are already here - Ibis, Holiday Inn RP: Firstly, all hotels should be rated. In Property Quotient (PQ) interviewed him Express and Swiss Inn. This budget hotel the next six to 12 months, we will see an recently to gain insights on what Malaysia industry in Malaysia has evolved for the increase in the occupancy rate and room should do to further increase number of past 10 years. We foresee more branded rate will be increase caused by continues business travelers as well as an industry budget hotels will come into the market. promotion activities by Ministry of Tourism outlook for the next six to 12 months. For instance in Iskandar Malaysia, the and MyCEB. High demand for low cost completion of LegoLand as well as another carriers resulting increasing frequency of PQ: Can you briefly tell us what your upcoming entertainment centres such as flights and upgrading works of airport’s mission is? And what is your expectation the Sanrio Hello Kitty Town and The Big infrastructure also contributed to the from the Malaysian hotel owners and Little Club that targeted mainly families will success factor. In addition, Malaysian operators? give industry players more opportunities hotels industry is remains stable and to Reginald T. Pereira (RP): Since inception to venture into this business. some extent we bypass the Euro-zone in 1974, our mission is to aim at building crisis. a highly skilled workforce, innovative and PQ: In your opinion, what are the unique disciplined individuals who will enhance selling proposition that attracting foreign As a closing statement, we wish all the the efficiency and productivity in the hotel brands and operators to Malaysia respective agencies both public and Malaysian hotel industry. private sectors must put extra efforts in besides the incentives and benefits? RP: The incentives given by the attracting long haul and high-end tourists We expect that all the hoteliers, hotel government are not the primary factor. in order to create spinoff effects. These owners, operators and hotel-related Frankly speaking, the country’s stability effects will promote our occupancy and industries can play a part in contributing is the key factor in order to create more room rates to a new high and this will suggestions and giving feedbacks in the demand from the industry players. Since benefit many industry players in Malaysia. MAH’s annual survey towards improving our independence in 1957, we encounter Malaysian hotel industry. This will lift very minimal political instability and this For more information about Malaysian MAH’s credibility as an agency that acts as makes Malaysia is one of the world’s Association of Hotels (MAH), please visit the voice of the hotel industry in Malaysia. preferred leisure destinations. However http://www.hotels.org.my/
HOTELS INDUSTRY