They say, however, that contrary to reports, they have shown leeway in allowing guests to check in early and check out later, if the situation permits it.
Last night, Tiong said hotel operators should adjust their check-in and check-out times to ensure that their guests get at least 23 hours of accommodation.
He said 23-hour stays per night were a common practice abroad, with guests allowed to check-in at 2pm and check-out the following day at 1pm, for example.
He acknowledged the hotels’ lack of manpower, resulting in a slower turnover in preparing rooms, and promised to negotiate with the human resources and home ministries to allow an intake of foreign workers in the hotel industry.
Three hoteliers FMT spoke with cited manpower shortage and costs as the main reasons for maintaining their current practice of 21-hour accommodation.
They said even though they applied the “3pm check-in and noon check-out” rule, they still allow early check-ins and late check-outs if there are rooms available.
“Sometimes, we have back-to-back check-ins due to high occupancy during peak seasons,” said Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH) vice-president Khoo Boo Lim.
He said hotels try to turn over rooms in less than 30 minutes after the guests leave, although at times, it takes longer depending on the condition of the room.
“We have encountered difficult and demanding guests who can be unreasonable, so I hope the authorities will listen to both sides and not just one,” he said.
MAH Penang chapter chairman Tony Goh said that during non-peak periods, hotels even allow guests to check-in as early as 7am without extra charge, and late check-outs up to 3pm.
MAH Johor chapter chairman Ivan Teo said that besides the issue of manpower, cost is a major factor in not being able to provide 23-hour stays at the moment.
“If the minister can provide us with sufficient manpower and ensure a level playing field for everyone, including regulating the unlicensed operators, then perhaps we can consider his proposal,” he said.
The hoteliers said as business owners, their main aim was to provide the best possible services to guests with the goal of having them return as repeat customers.
The debate over check-in and check-out times follow a post on X, in which a netizen complained about a hotel’s policy of setting check-ins at 4pm and check-outs at 11am.