Hotels look forward to return of grand Ramadan buffets

 

Hotels and restaurants have started aggressively promoting their Ramadan buffets again.

PETALING JAYA: Hotels are gearing up to welcome diners for full-scale Ramadan buffets again as the country transitions to the endemic phase of Covid-19.

“Demand is expected to be good,” Malaysian Association of Hotels CEO Yap Lip Seng told FMT.

However, he warned that the buffet meals are likely to be more expensive than they used to be because of increases in food and labour costs.

“Under the new norm, more manpower is required to ensure Covid-19 SOP compliance,” he said, adding that he expected less business than in pre-pandemic years because “restaurants could seat fewer people these days.”

This year, with Covid-19 rules relaxed, hotels and restaurants have started aggressively promoting their Ramadan buffets again.

When the pandemic hit, dining in was out of the question, but buffets were allowed last year with some restrictions.

Dorsett Kuala Lumpur area general manager Christina Toh said there had been many enquiries regarding early bird promotions, but she added that actual bookings had only been trickling in.

“You can chalk it up to late decisions,” she said, “but we are confident that the public will come out to dine in hotels again now that we are transitioning to the endemic phase.”

Toh said demand for Ramadan buffets was likely to pick up by the second week of the fasting month.

“It will be different from before,” she said. “Since the first day of Ramadan is on Sunday, many would return to their kampungs to spend time with their families after two years of not being able to.

“However, we hope to gain better traction in terms of bookings the following weekend.”

Dar Al- Arab owner Emil Petrosyan said the demand for his Ramadan buffet dinner had been encouraging and the restaurant had already been fully booked for two days.

“I expect it to be busy for the rest of the month,” he said. “We even have takeaway and catering options for our buffets for those who choose not to dine in.”

Malaysian Budget Hotel Association president Emmy Suraya said demand for buffets at budget hotels was still low.

“But there are people who are buying vouchers for early bird specials,” she said. “I predict it will pick up. Perhaps, consumers are taking a wait-and-see approach.” - FMT