5% extra charge on Malacca hotel rooms
We don't know how encouraging this is for Malacca's tourism industry. The Malacca state government will be slapping a 5% "heritage charge" on hotel stays starting September 1st, The Star, a Malaysian newspaper, reported.
AP File Photo
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam explained that the tax was necessary to fund the upkeep and promotion of heritage sites as
well as the state's
beautification programmes.
He said revenues from
assessment tax and Quit rent collection
were insufficient for this.
"The heritage charge will be based on
the rental rates of hotels, resorts,
chalets, apartments and other
tourism facilities that provide lodging,"
the Chief Minister said, asserting that the heritage
fee was expected to bring in around RM12 million per year.
The Malacca Budget Hotels Association, however, protested the move,
arguing that the total 21% charge was just too much
(6% government tax + 10% service charge + 5% heritage charge).
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