Take Advantage of MCO Period
Despite the difficulties due to the Covid-19 pandemic, homestay operators are encouraged to take advantage of the Movement Control Order (MCO) period to improve in their services quality.
“This is the best time for homestay operators to improve service quality and upgrade homestay premises. I understand that finance can be tight due to zero income from the homestay business.”
This was said by the Director General of Malaysia Productivity Corporation (MPC), Dato’ Abdul Latif Haji Abu Seman during the virtual certification presentation of the Malaysia Tourism Excellence (MaTEx) Business Certification Programme by Tourism Productivity Nexus (TPN).
Supported by the Malaysia Productivity Corporation (MPC), the certificate presentation event was held virtually on 17th June 2021.
He noted that this initiative can be seen as a milestone to increase the quality level of services and also at the same time to heighten up the quality bar to ensure their services remain productive and competitive.
As a global phenomenon, the pandemic has vastly affecting everyone globally including the tourism sectors.
However, in the midst of the challenges, Dato’ Abdul Latif reminded that the MCO period is also an advantage for homestay operators to do some self-reflection on what more can be done to improve their service quality.
He added that once the MCO period is over and the countries borders started to open once the Covid-19 starts to recede, homestay operators will be thoroughly prepared and readily available in top notch condition.
“Yet, some improvements do not require much finance, but ask more of your creativity and diligence.”
“I commend the recipients’ improvement efforts. The industry-level standard developed by TPN should give a good guidance to all homestay operators on quality excellence,” he said.
Also gracing the event was Champion of Tourism Productivity Nexus (TPN), Mr. Uzaidi Udanis.
“I am touched by the recipients’ efforts. This is the essence of Malaysia Tourism Excellence or MaTEx Business Certification Programme is about – continuous improvement of tourism products and services,” said Encik Uzaidi.
“Yes, this is possibly the darkest time in the history of the tourism industry, but we must not stop improving,” he added.
Under the certification programme, the certified homestay operators took advantage of the stay-at-home MCO order to improve the condition of their homestay based on the standard’s indicators.
According to the press release by MPC, evidence from video recording and documents sent, which were used as parts of the evaluation, showed operators’ diligent efforts in enhancing the quality of their premises.
During the virtual certificate presentation event, 16 homestay operators received certification of excellent quality assurance under Malaysia Tourism Excellence (MaTEx) Business Certification Programme by Tourism Productivity Nexus (TPN).
All 16 recipients also received the Certificate of Compliance with SOP COVID-19 Guidelines.
The MaTEx Business Certification Programme certifies homestay operators based on satisfactory fulfilment of the industry-level standard for homestays comprising 181 indicators, while the Adopt and Adhere Certificate of Compliance is awarded to homestay operators who score 90% from 69 indicators.
The certification process is fully conducted online.
