Fewer customers for Ramadan buffets this year, says hotelier group

Ramadan buffet sales at hotels in Penang suffered a 30% drop, says a hotelier.

PETALING JAYA: Ramadan buffets at hotels across the country experienced a drop in demand compared to previous years, according to the Malaysian Association of Hotels

Increased prices of 10% to 20% may have discouraged patrons, says Isaac Raj, the associations’ CEO. He said nearly all hoteliers increased their prices slightly to cope with rising operational costs.

Although food and beverages were exempted from the increase in service tax from March 1, the 2% increase indirectly affected other components such as the cost of goods and logistics, he said.

Operation costs were also affected by the higher cost of imported goods and an increase in electricity tariff last year.

“And with everyone spending more conservatively, we have seen a noticeable decline in demand for Ramadan buffet compared to previous years,” Isaac told FMT.

However, he declined to give sales figures.

Dennis Samford, the general manager of Shah’s Beach Resort, said the resort had between 10 to 20 patrons every day throughout the fasting month, and less than five group bookings with over 30 guests.

Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, the resort would see a minimum of 20 to 30 patrons for its Ramadan buffets throughout the months, he said.

“There were constant bookings for large groups too.”

Tony Goh, the chairman of MAH’s Penang chapter, said the Ramadan buffet sales at hotels in the state dropped by 30%.

Goh added that, on average, Penang hotels have increased their Ramadan buffet prices by around RM10 per person.

However, Riyaz Hotels and Resorts appeared to have bucked the trend. Its CEO, Yap Lip Seng, said Ramadan buffet sales increased by 10% to 15% and attributed it to prices being maintained from the previous year, with Malaysians being more prudent in spending.