Tourism Minister Urges Hotels to Adjust Check-in & Check-out Times to Offer Guests 23-Hour Stays

Recently, Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) Minister Dato’ Sri Tiong King Sing promised to come up with a solution to the recent controversy involving arbitrary check-in and check-out times implemented by hotel operators.

Tiong has urged hotel operators to adjust the check-in and check-out periods to ensure that guests receive at least 23 hours of stay per day.

According to Tiong, he had personally expressed his stance on this matter during a meeting with representatives from several hotel industry associations in Parliament on October 17.

He stated that a 23-hour stay per day is common abroad, with guests checking in at 2 pm and checking out at noon the next day or by 1 pm at the latest.

“This is a normal practice and does not compromise the cleanliness or quality of accommodation,” he explained.

While hotels may want to save costs and make more profits by not offering such extended stays, Tiong pointed out that this matter is not just about industry profits alone.

“Customers also want to feel that the money they spend is worth the service they receive. If not, they will have an unsatisfactory experience, reflecting that the hotel prioritises profits over service quality.”

Meanwhile, he acknowledged the concerns of hotel operators about extending the stay period, particularly due to staff shortages, which lengthens the cleaning and room preparation process.

“I also promised to personally liaise with the Ministry of Human Resources (Kesuma) and the Home Ministry (KDN) to help address the issue of staff shortages to meet the needs of customer stay times,” he shared.

“Therefore, I assured hotel operators that I will help them negotiate with Kesuma and KDN to facilitate the hiring of foreign workers.”

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Also read: Tourism Minister Breaks Silence on Hotel Check-In Issue, Guarantees Urgent Action When He Returns from Overseas