By: Aida Aziz
IPOH: The Mayor of Ipoh, Dato’ Rumaizi bin Baharin @ Md Daud is ready to meet and discuss with the Malaysian Budget Hotel Association (MyBHA) Perak and Tourism Perak to resolve the issue of Airbnb in this city.
Additionally, Rumaizi said the meeting is also crucial in shedding light on the issue of insufficient hotel rooms to accommodate visitors to Ipoh.
“That (the issue of allowing AirBNB and homestay to operate, besides the shortage of hotel rooms) needs to be discussed. I need to discuss it again with MyBHA.
“There are pros and cons to it. If we don’t do something, then AirBNB will flourish, as will homestay. If we don’t license them and regulate them, there will be problems.
“But the demand for them is also high, so we need to discuss this first. There’s no problem in discussion, because following the investment model, we can benefit a lot from the hotel industry,” he said.
He said this to reporters at a press conference after chairing the Full Council Meeting for February, on Thursday.
Previously, he raised the issue of a shortage of hotel rooms in Ipoh due to the sudden influx of visitors, especially during festive seasons and weekends.
Meanwhile, further commenting on his previous statements regarding the need for AirBNB and homestay for short-term solutions, he remained steadfast in his position.
“For me, it’s necessary because according to records, the demand is high. If we stop them, it will create other issues.
“As for insufficient hotels, it’s based on market segmentation, perhaps according to MyBHA, it’s different. But for 5-star hotels, it’s not enough.
“For example, reports from the Ministry of Transport show that over 500,000 visitors come here. 300,000 involve foreigners. Their market leans towards 4 and 5-star hotels.
“Wealthy people from Singapore or Indonesia, they don’t want to stay in budget hotels,” he said.
Earlier, the media reported that MyBHA Perak confirmed that hotel rooms in and around the city of Ipoh are still sufficient to accommodate tourists, especially on weekends.
Its chairman, Zamari Muhyi, said, therefore, the decision of the Ipoh City Council (MBI) to allow AirBNB and homestay services to operate to meet accommodation needs is not justified.
