Penang hotels yet to collect tourism tax

GEORGE TOWN: Hotels in Penang have yet to begin collecting the RM10 tourism tax from foreign tourists, which was to have started on Aug 1.

Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH) Penang chairman Khoo Boon Lim said hotels have not received any directives and guidance from the Customs Department to collect any money.

“We have not been informed yet,” he told theSun when contacted yesterday over the issue.

Nonetheless, Khoo said the Penang Hotel Fee, imposed by the state government, will still be collected.

Under the tax, foreign tourists are to pay RM10 per room per night across all hotel grades while Malaysians are exempted.

In Penang, the fee is imposed since 2014 at RM3 per room for hotels above four stars and RM2 per room for hotels three stars and below for all guests.

Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Nazri Abdul Aziz last week reportedly said the tax will come into effect on Aug 1.
Meanwhile, foreign tourists theSun spoke to have mixed feelings over paying more for their stay.

Hu Qi, 35, said the the views of foreign tourists should be taken into account before any new taxes were imposed.

She said the tax should be scrapped to encourage more tourist arrivals which can translate to a more active tourism
industry.

“I like Penang and I hope the tax can be abolished,” she added.

Dutch national Edwin De Hulk, 45, however, felt the tax was justifiable to assist the tourism authorities when met.