GEORGE TOWN: Hotels in Penang recorded higher occupancy last weekend, the first weekend since the lifting of nationwide travel ban under the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) on Dec 7.
Interstate and inter-district travel bans are currently only applicable for areas placed under the Enhanced MCO.
Malaysian Association of Hotels's national board vice-president Khoo Boo Lim said occupancy rate picked up from below 15 per cent to about 30 per cent last weekend.
"Beach hotels and hotels on the mainland recorded much better occupancy than those in the city. However, the average hotel rate is still low at around RM180," he told the New Straits Times.
Khoo said hotel occupancy would usually drop on weekdays.
"However, being year end, we expect the situation to be much better than the normal period," he said.
Traffic reportedly grew in Penang last weekend, with many eateries said to be enjoying brisk business, particularly the state's famed nasi kandar outlets.
Roads to several major shopping complexes were also choked with vehicles. Popular tourist spot Lebuh Armenian, which was recently deserted, also came alive when tourists returned.
Lim, who is Malaysian Association of Hotels (Penang Chapter) former chairman, however said the long queues at eateries did not really mean there was an increase in tourists at state hotels.
"While it may be true that more people are visiting Penang, many of them go for Airbnb accommodations instead.
He urged visitors to exercise caution when staying at Airbnb accommodations.
"We learned that are a number of them do not follow the standard operating procedures (SOP) and guidelines set by the government. They do not use proper cleaning and sanitising products, and employ a number of foreigners that could be illegal," he added.
Khoo hoped all hotels in the state would be able to pull through during the challenging period.