Despite the doom and gloom being reported in the hospitality industry, domestic tourism seems to be “working” for some hotels in Penang as their room occupancy rates have picked up impressively especially on the weekends.

This development is much more than their previous expectations, helped on by interstate travel being allowed.

While the phenomenon is more visible on weekends, nevertheless, the business is much welcomed considering airports are still closed for foreign tourists.

Starting with the Lexis Suites Penang in Teluk Kumbar, their past weekends were in high occupancy levels and certain weekends are expected to be full.

Among the hotel’s attractions is the private pool in each of their rooms thus offering convenience for the family to take a dip and relax.

Lexis Suites general manager, Ben Ho who is obviously delighted says that the room occupancy was beyond their expectation.

“Anyway, it is good that we see some business pick up after the long lockdown,” said Ho, adding that pick up in week days is still much needed.

Meanwhile, another beaming general manager of Bayview Beach Resort, Lawrence Perera, said that their attractive room rate promotion of RM91 per room night received overwhelming response.

“The giveaway offer allows guests to ” buy now, use later” option for guests. Being a beachfront resort, we saw good pick up from locals.

“We are now hoping for the borders to open so that we can see some foreign tourists coming here,” added Perera.

Another positive response was received for the Hard Rock Hotel Penang which also saw good occupancy levels last weekend.

“We are happy to note that locals with their families are coming back and helping towards the room occupancy. We are looking forward for this trend to continue,” said Linda Goh, Marcom manager at Hard Rock Hotel Penang.

The Prestige Hotel in the city also reported occupancy picked up tremendously in June after the interstate travel was lifted but more to weekend business.

“We also hope to see good support in July weekends on our books but weekdays are still slow,” said general manager, Melvin Ooi.

The Penang Hotel Collection (PHC) in Georgetown also reported positive room occupancy for their two hotels namely, the Macalister Hotel and Ropewalk Piazza Hotel here.

A spokesman for the hotel said that their proximity to hawker food centres and also durians stalls nearby are among the attractions for locals.