Spokesmen for the Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH) and the Malaysian Budget Hotel Association (Mybha) say few people would want to organise events with inter-district and interstate travel restrictions still in place.

The government recently announced that the MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions) sector would be allowed to reopen in MCO areas from March 5 subject to the restriction of 25% of the premises’ capacity or a maximum of 250 people.

MICE events in conditional MCO areas are subject to a restriction of 50% capacity. In recovery MCO areas, the restriction depends on the size of the premise.

MAH president N Subramaniam said he could see possible benefits only for hotels located in cities.

“Perhaps the government can consider just lifting inter-district travel restrictions first,” he said.

Mybha president Emmy Suraya had a similar sentiment, saying “the impact will be very limited”.

Malaysian Tourist Guides Council president Jimmy Leong said any relaxation of the rules was a move in the right direction.

“At least industry players can send the signal that they can handle events under the new norm. But, of course, as long borders are closed, the impact will be minimal,” he said.

According to the Malaysia Convention and Exhibition Bureau, travellers spent more than RM55 million from 2010 to 2019 on events secured and supported by the bureau, particularly in Johor.

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