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Sayang-Sayang Chain of Hostels |
In just three short years, he has established a network of 13 youth hostels of different capacities. He is now known by locals as “Malacca’s hostel tycoon”.
Lee says he recognises that the road to success is far from easy and his accomplishments today are the result of hard work along every step of the way.
But even as his business flourishes, he remains determined to provide people-oriented hospitality, which he says is the distinguishing feature for his hostels.
A backpacker himself back in the day, Lee has travelled all over Europe.
“When I set up the first hostel, I didn’t think there was going to be a second or a third,” recalled Lee.
“When Malacca was successfully listed as a World Heritage site, tourist numbers shot up, but there weren’t enough hostels to cater to all of them. In view of the strong demand for hostels at that point in time, I seized the chance and opened a few more at different locations.”
Lee said that he had initially intended to return to his job as a photographer with newspaper Sin Chew Daily after his travelling.
As there was no position available, he went back to his hometown in Malacca in search of new opportunities.
“When the Malaysian film Ice Kacang Puppy Love became a hit, I was inspired by the movie to sell Siamese fighting fish in a Malacca night market,” Lee said.
As he set about selling fish, he found that many backpackers had difficulties looking for a place to stay.
“Hostels were not a popular accommodation concept back then, it was completely foreign to the locals. Because of this, I saw a great business opportunity.”
Since it was his first endeavour at running a hostel, Lee was hands-on with every detail.
“After scouting for a location, I started drawing out design plans. I single-handedly managed everything including the positioning for air-conditioning systems, washrooms, as well as wiring and piping; If I didn’t know how to do something, I just learnt it as I went along,” said Lee.
“But I was fortunate to have the support of my family, especially my second brother who helped me most when it comes to wiring as he is an electrician.”
Refurbishing the hostel was not the biggest challenge though. That turned out to be educating the public about it.
“AirAsia’s operations really paved the way for more young tourists, and most of them are looking to experience backpack travelling, so I told them — you get the best backpacking experience from staying in a hostel!
“In fact, as the younger generation generally faces more financial constraints, it is difficult and costly for them to secure hotel lodgings when travelling.
“While even a cheap hotel room may cost an average of RM120 to RM130 a night, a bed in a hostel cost only RM15. The price difference is vast.
“In addition, if one seeks a backpacker’s experience, they should interact with other travellers too.
“I remember when a group of students and a couple of young foreigners came to stay. They wanted to know one another, but they were afraid to make the first move. So I became the middleman and introduced them, and they became friends, ” he says of the hostel experience.
Besides spreading the word about the hostel concept via the Internet, Lee also handed out flyers in Malacca.
“Once I came across a family of eight looking for a place to stay, so I approached them to introduce my hostel. Not familiar with the idea of a hostel, they turned me down, saying they’d rather find a hotel,” Lee recounts.
“The second time I bumped into them, they hadn’t found a suitable accommodation as the hotels were too expensive. I advised them to give my hostel a visit before they decided as I had just the right room with enough bed space to fit them all. The minute they saw that there were no television and no washroom, they left immediately.”
Finally, Lee met the family again later at night. In the end they gave in, as they still could not find a place to stay.
“I was running a promotion that time, the cheapest bed space rent ever offered in Malaysia -- RM9. The night only cost them RM72, and they found the environment and facilities to be very satisfactory. After all that, they stayed for three nights,” Lee said.
Asked what his ideal hostel is, Lee says that every hostel will have its flaws, but he always anticipates making the next one better. No matter the circumstances, Lee maintains that the greatest feature a hostel can offer is the hospitality.
“It doesn’t matter if you have the best decorations, if there is no interaction between the innkeeper and his guests, then the whole purpose behind a hostel will be negated,” said Lee.
Stressing the importance of interpersonal communications, Lee occasionally organised a get-together for guests of his 13 hostels in what he calls a “United Nations gathering”. There, guests can chat and mingle while sharing good food.
“Malacca has about 60 hostels so far, and only a few are run by locals. I’m one of the few,” Lee pointed out.
Born in Malacca, Lee has always felt the need to do something for the state he grew up in.
He encourages others to attempt the hostel business, and has even introduced his guests to help support them.
“Even though I run a lodging business, I’m part of a bigger picture and I can’t disregard this fact,” added Lee.
“Only with an active economy can we find the vibrancy and dynamism in these old streets.”
On top of that, Lee is also keen to to provide jobs by hiring local help to clean the hostels.
“I find it weird that many lodgings in Kuala Lumpur opt for foreign employees. I am all for 100% local Malaccans for my business. That way I can increase employment opportunities and open up more possibilities for younger locals who wish to make a living in the comfort of their own hometown.”
Source: The Star Online
