KUALA LUMPUR: The Tourism Ministry is looking at classifying the term boutique hotels to prevent budget hotels from disguising themselves as one.
An Internet search shows boutique hotels are generally defined as properties with fewer than 100 rooms offering a very high level of service and with rates that are on the high side.
"The Tourism Ministry welcomes the setting up of boutique hotels but in the right context and in the high end (quality and rates) direction," Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen told Business Times recently.
"We don't want just any hotel to term itself 'boutique' and give the wrong impression. Boutique hotels must have a room rate of above RM500 a night," Ng said.
According to her, boutique hotels should have a room inventory of fewer than 10. However, she said the ministry would consider all suggestions put forward.
"We have received appeals saying 10 is too few and so we listened to them. But to us, a boutique hotel cannot be lumped with any other hotel.
It is an hotel in its own class," she pointed out.
Boutique hotels must have a different service level, offer personal service and have a distinct ambiance, she said.
"Boutique hotels cannot be like a guest house."
It is understood that the term "boutique hotel" has been taken out of context, causing confusion among some tourists.
While the ministry is looking at the loosely used term, Ng, however, pointed out that it did not actually have the power to say whether or not an accommodation was indeed a boutique hotel.
This, she said, fell within the purview of the local council.
The ministry is responsible for registering and classifying tourist accommodation premises. Licensing of tourist accommodation premises is the responsibility of the local authorities.
"Orchid" is a standard classification system created for those form of accommodation premises that cannot be classified under the Star Classification Scheme, which include three-, four- or five-star categories.
By Vasantha Ganesan
"The Tourism Ministry welcomes the setting up of boutique hotels but in the right context and in the high end (quality and rates) direction," Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen told Business Times recently.
"We don't want just any hotel to term itself 'boutique' and give the wrong impression. Boutique hotels must have a room rate of above RM500 a night," Ng said.
According to her, boutique hotels should have a room inventory of fewer than 10. However, she said the ministry would consider all suggestions put forward.
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It is an hotel in its own class," she pointed out.
Boutique hotels must have a different service level, offer personal service and have a distinct ambiance, she said.
"Boutique hotels cannot be like a guest house."
It is understood that the term "boutique hotel" has been taken out of context, causing confusion among some tourists.
While the ministry is looking at the loosely used term, Ng, however, pointed out that it did not actually have the power to say whether or not an accommodation was indeed a boutique hotel.
This, she said, fell within the purview of the local council.
The ministry is responsible for registering and classifying tourist accommodation premises. Licensing of tourist accommodation premises is the responsibility of the local authorities.
"Orchid" is a standard classification system created for those form of accommodation premises that cannot be classified under the Star Classification Scheme, which include three-, four- or five-star categories.
By Vasantha Ganesan
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