IPOH: Perak continues to face challenges in attracting major international hotel brands, as most visitors to the state still prefer day trips over overnight stays.
State Tourism, Industry, Investment and Corridor Development Committee chairman Loh Sze Yee said Perak is widely perceived as a stopover destination, with travellers often passing through without extending their visit.
He noted that visitors travelling along the north-south route typically make brief stops in areas such as Teluk Intan, Manjung, Perak Tengah and Taiping before continuing their journey.
“After spending the day here, many choose to stay overnight in Penang, while visitors from Penang often come to Perak for a day trip but opt to stay in Kuala Lumpur instead,” he said during the State Legislative Assembly sitting.
Responding to a supplementary question from Simpang Pulai assemblyman Wong Chai Yi, Loh said evolving travel patterns have made it harder to attract global hotel operators.
He explained that international hotel brands typically require strong overnight stay figures before committing to new investments, and the lack of such data in destinations like Ipoh and Taiping remains a key hurdle.
To address this, Loh said the state government is working with local councils and tourism agencies to improve visitor retention and encourage longer stays.
He pointed out that one of the main strategies is to expand the range of quality accommodation, particularly boutique hotels that cater to changing traveller preferences.
“Not every visitor is looking for luxury. Many just want a clean, comfortable place with a good bed and a pleasant atmosphere,” he said, adding that boutique hotels are well-suited to tourists who spend most of their time বাইরে exploring.
Loh also highlighted shifting travel habits, noting that many travellers now head out early to explore destinations and often skip hotel breakfasts in favour of local food experiences.
In Ipoh, he said developments such as D’Kelly Hotel reflect this trend by offering themed stays that appeal to visitors seeking unique experiences.
He also cited MU PetiTE Hotel, which provides compact yet functional rooms designed to accommodate families comfortably within a single space.
At the same time, Loh said larger-scale hospitality developments are also underway, signalling growing confidence in the state’s tourism sector.
Among them are the already operational AC Hotel by Marriott Ipoh and the upcoming Wyndham Hotel Ipoh, along with the future M Hill project.
He said these developments indicate that Perak is gradually strengthening its hospitality offerings, even as it works to shift its image from a day-trip destination to one that encourages longer stays.
