Kuching: Hotels in Kuching, one of the host cities for the 2027 SEA Games, will be well prepared to accommodate visitors and participants, with total room capacity projected to reach about 10,000.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Malaysia Association of Hotels (MAH) Sarawak Chapter chairman John Teo Peng Yew stated that several new hotels are expected to open ahead of the Games, adding about 1,000 rooms to the city's current supply of more than 9,000 rooms. "In Kuching, we will be expecting around 5,000 participants, including officials. There will be enough rooms for all," he told Bernama.
Teo noted that most hotels in Kuching underwent upgrades last year for the Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) campaign, ensuring nearly all hotels are newly refurbished. He emphasized the priority placed on hygiene and safety for participants, mentioning that all MAH members undergo annual inspections covering cleanliness, hygiene, service standards, and Bomba safety requirements for buildings.
The 2027 SEA Games, scheduled from September 18 to 29, will have events held across four clusters: Sarawak, Penang, Johor, and Kuala Lumpur. The Sarawak cluster will host the opening ceremony and 17 sports, including aquatics, weightlifting, and basketball, among others.
On the manpower front, Teo highlighted the importance of having well-trained staff for the SEA Games. He mentioned that hotels provide in-house training, with additional support from the Human Resource Development Corporation (HRD Corp), which allows hotels to access funds for employee training to enhance service standards.
Teo assured that all hoteliers will ensure sufficient staffing for the SEA Games, with hotels employing temporary staff, mainly students with part-time experience during major events. These individuals are trained by professional hoteliers, he added.
Despite the preparations, Teo acknowledged challenges in ensuring a seamless experience for all SEA Games participants. He noted that while 3- to 5-star hotels are equipped to provide better services, smaller inns and motels may struggle to meet the same standards. Logistics also pose a challenge, particularly regarding transportation needs during the Games.
Teo expressed hope that the Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART) system in Kuching will be operational by then, as at least 5,000 participants will require transportation from the airport to hotels and from hotels to the Games venues and back.