melakaPETALING JAYA: Nomination day for the Melaka polls is more than a fortnight away but hotels of all sizes, homestays and restaurants in the state are already hoping for brisk business ahead.

       Although online campaigning for the 28 state seats will be encouraged, politics is such that the hopefuls and their supporters will not be able to resist being on the ground to canvass for votes.

       Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH) chief executive officer Yap Lip Seng said there would usually be a demand during such an occasion and that the hotels were prepared to facilitate the need.

       “It is still difficult to say at this point, but with the re-opening of interstate travel already contributing to an increase (of occupancy rates), Melaka will likely achieve an average occupancy rate of about 30% to 40%,” he said when contacted yesterday.

       The Election Commission had announced that the Melaka state polls will be held on Nov 20.

       Nomination will take place on Nov 8.

       Yap noted that the demand would only be short term, so hotels would still need long term stability that are dependent on the reopening of international borders.

       “Domestic demand alone is insufficient; the spending power of domestic tourists is much lower,” he added.

       Malaysia Budget Hotel and Business Association (MyBHA) deputy president Dr Sri Ganesh Michiel said it was too early to estimate the “good sales” during the period.

       “For now, reservations are good. However, hotels do not make good profits due to the price war,” he said.

       A check by The Star on travel booking sites such as booking.com, AirBnB, and Agoda showed there are still plenty of rooms available on a wide range of prices for that period between Nov 7 and 20.

       Malaysia-Singapore Coffeeshop Proprietors Association president Wong Teu Hoon said the number of patrons at coffeeshops has slowly picked up of late, adding that he expects the business to continue to grow.

       “But at the moment, it is still slow. In Melaka, I was informed that customers are still cautious. But I predict that sales could grow by 20% during the Melaka state election,” he said.

       Melaka Hawker and Petty Traders Association chairman Datuk Wong Soo Tang was also of the view that business would pick up during that time.

       “Currently, those who are providing delivery services are having better sales,” he said, noting that some shops had yet to fully open for business.

       “Some owners are scared to open their shops while others are worried about getting customers who do not want to follow the standard operating procedure (SOP). But I believe it will be a good opportunity for our members to run their businesses during the Melaka state polls,” he said.

       Medical experts have constantly reminded everyone to observe the SOP throughout the state polls.