Christina Liew
KOTA KINABALU (March 9): The authorities, including the Kota Kinabalu City Hall (DBKK), are looking for the best solution to the increase of hotel licencing fees in Kota Kinabalu, said State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Christina Liew.
Christina said hotel associations are not happy with the price hike and have met her twice to discuss the issue.
“I know it’s a big jump, and I’ve brought the issue to the Cabinet, but they have decided to maintain the fee structure.
“Last week I have also written a letter to hotel associations to explain the situation, and I have also met with the Mayor.
“We are still figuring out a way that we can help,” she told reporters after a Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Sabah press conference at a hotel here on Sunday.
Christina admitted from her ministry’s side that this decision would undoubtedly have an impact on the industry, and she will continue to closely monitor the situation, especially after being informed that several three-star hotels are planning to shut down as they cannot afford the fees.
“Hopefully after six or eight months, we will have a meeting and present this case again to see how big the impact is,” she said.
Recently, Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH) Sabah/Labuan chapter chairman Hafizan Wong urged Kota Kinabalu lawmakers to reconsider the new hotel licensing fees as it poses a severe threat to the continuation of hotels business, from budget accommodations to five-star establishments.
Hafizan in a statement said previously, hotel operators were required to pay a licensing fee of only RM10 per room per annum, but under the new fee structure, they now have to pay rates per occupied room per month, based on DBKK’s hotel classification category of first, second and third class.
He put it into perspective by saying that under the reinstated fee structure:
• A 100-room hotel classified as a 2nd Class Hotel would now have to pay RM80 per occupied room per month.
• If the hotel achieves an occupancy of 60% or 1,860 room nights per month, the monthly licensing fee would be a staggering RM4,800 a month or RM57,600 per year; a drastic increase from the previous RM1,000 annual fee
Meanwhile, Christina said meetings are ongoing on proposals to revise the conditions for climbing Mount Kinabalu, with a decision hoped to be made by next month.
On whether these conditions would affect those who have already registered for their climbs should the revisions go through, the minister said she will refer to the ministry first.
It was reported on March 3 that the state government is considering implementing new measures to better the safety of Mount Kinabalu climbers, including placing age restrictions, following the recent death of a British man in his 70s during his climb up the mountain.
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