Tourism players in Sabah want the government to also focus on "eco-lodges", and not just five-star hotels, to attract tourists.
Describing the incentives given to hotel operators to invest in new 4- and 5- star hotels as good news, Sabah Tourism Association (STA) intermediate past chairman Len P Liew said similar incentives should be given to operators of eco-lodges.
"This is good news, but we need more resorts and eco-lodges for nature and outdoors lovers. We need more variety in the market to create a healthy competition, and to capture a more meaningful share of global market."
In the 2012 Budget tabled last Friday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said the government would continue to assist the private sector in providing more accommodation to attract high-spending tourists.
The government had proposed that hotel operators in Peninsular Malaysia invest in 4- and 5-star hotels. These hotels would be given pioneer status, with income tax exemption of 70 per cent or investment tax allowance of 60 per cent for five years. Similar tax incentives had also been given to hotel operators in Sabah and Sarawak.
STA chairman Tony Chiew said the incentives would encourage hotel operators to invest in new hotels. "Upgrading of basic infrastructure and roads leading to tourist destinations must not be left out."
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