Bookmark & Share
In fact, business is so good that some establishments are turning away potential guests.
Business for low-cost hotels and hostels in Singapore boomed overnight as hundreds of Malaysians with Singapore work permits scramble for rooms to stay ahead of Malaysia’s nationwide lockdown on Wednesday (18 March), reported Today.
The spike in demand came as a welcome relief for these establishments, which witnessed a steep drop in international tourist following the COVID-19 outbreak.
In fact, business is so good that some establishments are turning away potential guests.
Muhd Danial, Manager of Vintage Inn boutique hotel, shared that the eve of Malaysia’s lockdown emerged as one of the busiest nights, with his firm’s two properties in Clarke Quay and Little India fully booked until 31 March.
“Yesterday, it was like pasar malam (night market). There were so many people around. When I went to work at 9am today, people were queuing outside the hostel to check in after their night shifts. It’s crazy,” said Danial.
Helen Yeo, Front Desk Receptionist at Jamillah Boutique Inn, revealed that the firm’s business soared 70% since the lockdown. The hostel now houses 50 Malaysians.
With the spike in demand for bed space, hostels are now turning people away.
“We accepted a total of about 80 Malaysian employees yesterday from factories and cleaning companies who will be staying here until the end of March. As much as possible, I try to match their requests and budget,” said David Peh, Manager of Pine Hostel on Tyrwhitt Road in Jalan Besar.
“Today, we received more enquiries from a company with 130 workers as well as maid agencies looking for more places for their staff members who have been issued stay-home notices, but we had to turn all of them down as we are already full.”
While the surge in guests was a “relief” for the business, Tommy Lek, owner of Blanc Inn Boutique Hotel on Tyrwhitt Road, is also afraid as “there is a risk that they might be infected with the virus”.
With this, he takes the temperature of all guests daily once they return and provide hand sanitisers at the front desk.
Meanwhile, some Malaysian workers staying in Singapore said that while they miss their families, they are enjoying what they consider a working holiday.
Chen Cheng Kwee, who works as an outlet assistant for food-and-beverage firm That Coffee Place, said his employer had found several temporary accommodations for him for the next two weeks.
“My boss has arranged all our accommodations since we went to work yesterday at 8am. Everything has been taken care of — the only inconvenience is that we may have to move a few times,” said the 57-year old who usually travels daily from his Johor Baru rented apartment.
His boss had also planned an itinerary for the next two weeks for him as well as his colleagues, providing them a chance to explore Singapore which they would otherwise not do.
“It does feel like a holiday as we get to stay at a hotel for now and explore places. The only thing I have to pay for is dinner,” he said.
Looking for a property in Singapore? Visit PropertyGuru’s Listings, Project Reviews and Guides.
Victor Kang, Digital Content Specialist at PropertyGuru, edited this story. To contact him about this or other stories, email victorkang@propertyguru.com.sg
Related Articles: