SIBU: The occupancy rate of budget hotels here has dropped to 40 per cent due to the lack of tourism related activity.
Malaysia Budget Hotel Associaton (Mahba) Sarawak Chapter president Lau Nai Meng said the occupancy rate had in fact decreased over the years.
“I have six budget hotels and the occupancy rate has dropped by that much. Sometime, I do not even have a single guest in anyone of them,” he said today.
According to him, budget hotels here numbering about 60 used to enjoy room occupancy rate of 50 per cent.
“That was when the town experienced a hive of activities that brought visitors in,” he said.
These activities included the numerous national and international Chinese clan associations’ meeting.
“Such meeting is still happening but the number is getting less now. We hope these clan associations here such as Foochow Association will lobby to have their meeting in this town as the presence of their outstation members will not only benefit hotels but also restaurants and taxi operators,” he said.
He also hoped regatta or power boat racing will also take place again here.
“Last time we used to have regatta but not anymore. Hopefully the organisers of previous regatta will jump-start the event as most of the participants will stay overnight in hotels,” he said.
The only consolation, he pointed out was that the annual Sibu International Big Bike Week which is organised in every December is still taking place, benefiting those in the hotel industry.
Management adviser of the association, Johnny Wong said hotels here used to experience an almost full room occupancy during the actual day of Ching Ming Festival.
“Previously local residing outstations used to come back during the actual day of the festival on every April 5 and they will stay overnight in hotel. But now they return home prior to the actual day so room occupancy on the actual day is low,” he added.
With better road connectivity, he said there are those who, after paying a visit to their loved ones, will drive home on the same day instead of staying in hotels.
