The Malaysia Budget & Business Hotel Association (MyBHA®) is calling for stronger enforcement, industry monitoring and government cooperation to safeguard Sabah’s hospitality and tourism sector.
The association made the call following a courtesy visit to Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister YB Datuk Jafry bin Hj Ariffin. MyBHA® also met with YBhg. Datuk Josie Lai, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry.
The engagement focused on challenges facing Sabah’s hotel and tourism industry. Both sides also explored closer cooperation to support sustainable tourism growth.
MyBHA® Urges Greater Unity Among Accommodation Operators
MyBHA® National President Dr Sri Ganesh Michiel said industry unity will become increasingly important as Sabah strengthens its position as a major tourism destination.
He urged hotels and accommodation operators to join recognised industry associations. According to MyBHA®, a stronger industry voice can help operators stay informed about policy developments and engage authorities on shared concerns.
“The industry must be proactive. We must work together today to protect the sustainability of our businesses tomorrow.”
Dr Ganesh also stressed that operators should not wait for problems to emerge before taking action. Instead, greater collaboration can help businesses share knowledge and develop practical solutions with government agencies.
Stronger Monitoring Needed As Sabah Tourism Grows
MyBHA® said tourism growth should not focus solely on visitor numbers or new accommodation businesses.
The association believes tourism must also generate meaningful economic benefits for local communities. These include employment, local procurement, entrepreneurship and opportunities across the tourism supply chain.
At the same time, MyBHA® warned that rapid growth could increase the risk of illegal and unregulated businesses entering the tourism ecosystem.
These may include unlicensed accommodation providers, illegal travel agencies and other tourism operators that operate outside the required legal and regulatory framework.
The association also raised concerns about foreign individuals or entities conducting business without the necessary licences, approvals or compliance with local laws.
MyBHA® is therefore calling for closer coordination between government agencies, local authorities and recognised industry associations.
The goal is to protect legitimate businesses while ensuring that tourists, employees and investors can operate within a safe and properly regulated tourism ecosystem.
Safety and Quality Must Remain Priorities
MyBHA® also urged accommodation operators to maintain high standards for safety, cleanliness, quality and reliability.
Every hotel and accommodation provider contributes to the visitor experience. As a result, the association believes that operators have a shared responsibility to protect Sabah’s reputation as a tourism destination.
MyBHA® Sabah Chapter Chairman Harold Chung said competition should not come at the expense of safety or regulatory compliance.
“Visitors must have confidence that the accommodation they choose is properly operated, safe and accountable.”
The association also called on local authorities to ensure that only legal and legitimate accommodation businesses that meet licensing, safety and regulatory requirements can operate and be promoted.
MyBHA® said this would help create a fairer business environment for operators that invest in licences, employee welfare, safety standards, taxes and regulatory compliance.
Infrastructure Reliability Is Also a Tourism Issue
Beyond regulation, MyBHA® highlighted reliable infrastructure as another key concern for Sabah’s tourism industry.
The association pointed to recent water supply disruptions affecting hotels in Kota Kinabalu. Such disruptions can affect hotel operations and inconvenience tourists, even when the issue falls outside the control of individual hotels.
MyBHA® warned that the impact can extend beyond the immediate disruption.
Unhappy guests may leave negative online reviews that remain visible to future travellers. These reviews can influence booking decisions and shape perceptions of Kota Kinabalu and Sabah as a destination.
“The water supply may be restored in a few days, but a negative review can remain online for years,” Dr Ganesh said.
He added that basic infrastructure should therefore be viewed as part of Sabah’s wider tourism ecosystem.
The association said water supply, electricity, telecommunications, transportation and other essential services must keep pace with tourism development.
Government and Industry Urged to Work Together
MyBHA® encouraged its members across Sabah to engage actively with government departments, local authorities, tourism agencies and other stakeholders.
Dr Ganesh said stronger cooperation between government and industry would help create a more resilient tourism ecosystem.
The association also expressed its appreciation to Datuk Jafry and Datuk Josie Lai for engaging with hospitality industry representatives.
MyBHA® said it looks forward to strengthening cooperation with the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment Sabah (KePKAS) and other relevant authorities.
The association’s broader goal is to support a legal, safe, competitive and sustainable hospitality industry that benefits businesses, visitors and Sabah’s local communities.
