SHAH ALAM, Dec 26 — Only accommodation providers with licences from local authorities are allowed to charge sustainability fees in areas under the jurisdiction of the Shah Alam City Council (MBSA), said MBSA acting licensing director Mohd Rizal Johari.
He said hotels, including budget hotels, will be issued with collection certificates, which will allow these premises to legally collect said charges at their check-in counters.
“Premises without local authorities’ licences aren’t allowed to collect fees from visitors. This charge is only imposed on guests staying the night, not hotel operators,” he told Media Selangor.
Rizal said the sustainability fee was introduced as a state government initiative to develop a more sustainable, competitive tourism sector.
He added that MBSA, through its Licensing Department, held engagement sessions with the state government and hotel operators on December 5, including a briefing by the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry (Motac) on the hotel grading system.
“I’m sure this fee will help MBSA improve its tourism promotion and upgrade its infrastructure and facilities, and draw more tourists to Shah Alam,” Rizal said.
Previously, state executive councillor for local government and tourism Dato’ Ng Suee Lim said sustainability fees will be managed by local authorities, while hotels would only collect them.
The fee is imposed based on the type and grade of accommodation providers, as follows:
RM7 — Five-star hotels
RM5 — Four-star hotels, ungraded hotels
RM3 — Three-star hotels, camping sites, campervans, premises registered under Motac
RM2 — Homestays, Airbnbs, budget hotels, tourist hostels
The fee is applicable for each room per night.
“Other than conserving the environment and local heritage, this fee is also important to ensure sustainable tourism development in Selangor,” Rizal added.
