KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Budget and Business Hotel Association (MyBHA) has called on the government to address pressing issues facing the hospitality industry, including unfair competition from unregulated online travel agencies (OTAs) and a severe labour shortage.
Its president Dr. Sri Ganesh Michiel said he appreciated the government's attention on several matters brought up recently, including the late check-ins into hotels.
"MyBHA calls on the government to regulate OTAs by implementing stricter regulations to ensure fair competition and protect consumers and address labour shortages by streamlining the process of hiring foreign workers for the hospitality industry," he said in a statement.
He said while they appreciate the flexibility offered by OTAs, the lack of regulations has led to inconsistencies in service standards and unfair competition.
The association also pointed out that the widespread adoption of flexible check-in and check-out times by unregulated accommodations has set unrealistic expectations for consumers and put licensed hotels at a disadvantage.
"Our members are committed to providing high-quality services and adhering to industry standards," said adding that consumers have a right to inquire and choose their preference of hotel based on the respective check-in and out practices.
He said most of the problems were with unlicensed accommodations that do not adhere to regulations.
The association also highlighted the critical issue of labour shortages, particularly among local workers.
"The shortage of skilled workers has significantly impacted our ability to provide timely and efficient services. We urge the government to expedite the process of hiring foreign workers for back-office positions in hotels."
He said the government must also enforce industry standards to ensure that all accommodation providers adhere to the same safety, hygiene, and quality standards.
"We believe that with the government's support, the hospitality industry can continue to contribute to Malaysia's economy and provide world-class services to tourists," he said.
Sri Ganesh said the lack of oversight on OTAs, allows any accommodation provider, regardless of licensing, to offer services.
"This has led to inconsistent regulations and significantly harmed the reputation of our industry.
"The proliferation of OTAs has resulted in numerous issues that have gone viral on social media, damaging the overall image of Malaysia's tourism sector.
"Our members are facing immense economic challenges and additional burdens from unregulated OTAs are hindering their recovery efforts.
"We need the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry's continued support to ensure that licensed hotels can thrive and maintain the high quality of service that our guests expect," he added.
The association emphasised the need for a balanced approach that protects both consumers and legitimate businesses.
"While we are committed to providing excellent service, we cannot do so effectively without a level playing field," Sri Ganesh said.