ACCOMMODATION - Malaysian five-star hotels: Where are the tourists?

eTN, 3-7-2007

Despite the reported increase in tourist figures in the first quarter of Malaysia's VMY 2007 campaign, five-star hotel operators are asking: where are the tourists staying?Tourism Malaysia figures show 4.8 million tourist arrivals for the first quarter of 2007, an increase of 9.8 percent compared to the same period in 2006. However, the increase is not reflected in occupancy rates of the country's five-star hotels.Explaining the mystery, Malaysian Tourism Minister Tengku Adnan said tourists are now choosing to stay in cheaper hotels and service apartments. "Homestay programs are also getting good response."

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