KUCHING: More tourists may be coming in with the reopening of the borders but the nation’s hospitality and tourism industry continues to grapple with labour shortages.
Federal Minister of Tourism, Arts, and Culture Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri disclosed that the industry is short of approximately 15,000 to 20,000 workers.
“Shortage in labour is a challenge that is not only being faced by the hospitality and tourism industry. While approval to get foreign workers has been obtained, the next step is the process of bringing them in.
“However, I would like to encourage our local people to work at the hotels as these hoteliers want to recruit as many as possible. Rather than going outside to work and perhaps getting mistreated, it is best that they work at the hotels here,” she said.
She said this during a press conference at the Majlis Ramah Mesra Bersama Penggiat Industri Pelancongan, Seni, dan Budaya at Perbadanan Kemajuan Kraftangan Malaysia (PKKM) Sarawak branch here on Saturday (May 14).
Recalling one of the ministry’s efforts which is the Tourism Job Fair, she admitted that it did not receive encouraging response due to the COVID-19 situation then.
“We also conducted various engagements where the industry players would provide feedback on how there are many who are still afraid to work in hotels due to uncertainties in the line of work.
“Besides that, local people now have other alternatives such as doing online business, choosing a job in a different lines, and pursuing tailoring or baking for income.
“Having said that, this is a blessing whereby we can see that our local people have talents which enable them to find their own sustenance,” she said.
On the Majlis Ramah Mesra Bersama Penggiat Industri Pelancongan, Seni, dan Budaya, she said this was the first time it is being held at PKKM Sarawak branch.
Elaborating, she disclosed that various ambassadors including from Hungary, Kenya, Libya, Indonesia, Thailand, Korea, China, and Ghana were invited to attend the event.
“Some of the ambassadors arrived a few days earlier, they visited places like Bako National Park and Sarawak Cultural Village among others. This is one of the ways for us to introduce tourism sites and destinations in Sarawak,” she said.
Also present were Federal Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts, and Culture Datuk Seri Dr Santhara J.P, the ministry’s deputy secretary general (Culture) Datuk Saraya Arbi and others.
