Every Ramadan, the debate continues. And, yet, every Ramadan, the breaking of fast buffet spread gets bigger, more expensive and there are no fewer patrons!
So, what’s the debate all about then? That it’s sinful to pay RM140 per person for iftar? That hotels shouldn’t be charging such a hefty sum for customers to enjoy their food?
But, if the bill is very high, how come hotel coffee houses are packing them in like there’s no tomorrow?
Breaking of fast in hotels may not be everybody’s idea of an ideal evening. But, for people in the corporate world, where public relations is a routine in managing stakeholders, such gatherings are not unusual.
In fact, taking clients or stakeholders for breaking of fast is an annual affair. Some corporate organisations have earned reputations for organising generous buka puasa events.
A hotel manager I spoke to recently said Ramadan can be a stressful month for him. Not because there’s not enough business; but more for telling potential customers that the coffee house is already full!
We all know that a few hotels use every nook and corner to lay out dinner tables. Demand at these hotels is always high until the last couple of days when only city folk remain.
In the daytime, many hotels take a dip in their food and beverage business. But they score in the evenings.
Yes, there’s wastage, too. That cannot be blamed on the hoteliers. You must have seen how some people pile their plates with mountains of food, some of which they can’t finish.
Perhaps, hotels can impose a new condition on diners. Maybe it’s a good idea to make them pay for unfinished food. I’ve seen a number of eateries putting signages to inform customers about this.
Those offering steamboat dinners often do this. A steamboat operator said this worked to some extent. Diners must be made to be more mindful of wastage. The onus is more on them than hoteliers.
But, I always wonder what hoteliers do with the leftovers. Feed the homeless? Throw them in the rubbish bins?
Ahmad A Talib is chairman of Yayasan Salam Malaysia