President Speech

Yang Berhormat Mr. Chow Kon Yeow, Penang State Executive Councillor for Local Government, Traffic Management & Flood Mitigation;

Yang Berbahagia Dato' Patahiyah Ismail, Datuk Bandar Pulau Pinang;

PCCC Executive Advisor Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Tan Kok Ping;

Operators of Budget Hotels and Lodging Houses;

Ladies and Gentlemen

 

A very warm welcome to this Dialogue Session organized by Development, Construction and Management Committee of PCCC.

 

First of all, I would like to thank YB Mr. Chow Kon Yeow, Datuk Bandar Dato' Patahiyah Ismail and MBPP Officials for taking time out of their busy schedule to attend this dialogue session with operators of budget hotels and lodging houses. This dialogue will provide a suitable platform for the operators to have a better understanding of the council’s new simplified  guidelines on budget hotels and lodging houses in Penang.

 

Ever since Georgetown was listed as a world heritage site by UNESCO in 2008, there has been an influx of tourists into Penang. Many budget hotels and lodging houses mushroomed all over the city. These hotel operators have played an important role in promoting Penang’s tourism. However, we regret to note that many operate without proper licenses.

 

We welcome and support the move by the Local Government in simplifying the application procedures in view of the fact that budget hotels and lodging houses play an important role not only in promoting tourism but also boosting economic growth of the State.

 

 

Today’s dialogue session provides a platform for these operators to take the opportunity to discuss with the officials concerned the difficulties encountered by them during the application process. I hope that after this dialogue the hotel operators will be able to carry out their business with proper licenses.

 

Meanwhile, I also hope that the hotel and lodging house operators be self-discipline and maintain the quality of their hotels such as providing a safe and clean environment. These factors will not only bring advantages to the development of tourism in the State but also help Georgetown to maintain its world heritage status.

 

I also hope that the Local Government can consider the possibility of extending the validity of the license from 1 year to 2 years for the convenience of these hotel operators and lodging houses.

 

Thank you.