Penang hotels are gearing up for a strong holiday season, with occupancy rates expected to reach 80% during the upcoming National Day stretch and school holidays. The forecast reflects steady domestic demand and a rising number of international visitors arriving in the state.
Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH) Penang chapter chairman Datuk Tony Goh said average occupancy currently sits at about 60%, with bookings picking up ahead of the holiday period. He said the positive trend was evident across both beach and city hotels.
“Currently, occupancy is holding at around 60% and bookings are coming in strongly. We are looking to reach at least 80% in the coming weeks,” The Star quoted Goh as saying.
The forecast follows a pattern of strong Penang hotel performance during holiday periods. During the Wesak Day long weekend in May, hotel occupancy rates reached between 90% and 100%, according to Bernama, with Goh noting that weekday averages typically sat at around 70%.
Goh said international arrivals were also showing encouraging signs, with tourists from China and Indonesia contributing to the increase in bookings. The primary market remained domestic, he added, but foreign visitor numbers continued to grow.
MAH Penang chapter represents 114 hotel members offering a total of 17,835 registered rooms.
Shangri-La Rasa Sayang Resort and Golden Sands Resort communications director Datuk Suleiman Tunku Abdul Rahman said occupancy at both resorts was expected to exceed 90% as bookings continued to come in. He said the resorts would hold a mini fair on 30 August to celebrate National Day, with activities planned throughout the day and open to the public.
Iconic Hotel Group general manager Pauline Chua said many holidaymakers preferred beachfront hotels during the school holidays. She said bookings had started picking up about a week before the school holidays began.
The school holidays will run from 28 August to 5 September for Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu, and from 29 August to 6 September for other states including Penang. Workers can enjoy a 10-day break from 23 August if they take four days of leave, with Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday falling on 25 August and National Day on 31 August.
Goh said sustained demand reflected continued interest in Penang as a tourism destination, with hotels across different segments benefiting from increased visitor arrivals.
