KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA - The buffet promotions at hotels this Ramadan is generally cheaper than last year. However, the number of patrons has been noticeably less.

Grand Blue Wave Hotel Shah Alam's sales manager Sarina Mohamad said the price of the Ramadan buffet at the hotel was cheaper this year.

"We have reduced the price by RM20 (S$8.64) and added more food stalls for customers to enjoy. We decreased prices to attract more patrons. I believe our buffet price is among the lowest at RM65++ (S$28). However, the number of patrons has not gone up."

Hotel Maya food and beverage director Raja Gopal agreed that there had been a decline in the number of patrons indulging in Ramadan buffets this year.

"Although the price of our Ramadan buffet is the same as last year at RM80++ (S$34.58), the number of patrons has not been encouraging. Currently, most of the patrons are corporate clients."

He said this was most likely because of a cautious pattern in consumer spending after recent price hikes which might have affected their household expenditure.

Raja Gopal added that the hotel provided an array of more than 80 selections to attract the public and the management was hoping for better response in the second half of the fasting month.

Several other four and five-star hotels have also lowered the prices of their buffets this year. Those which increased prices claimed it was only minimal, at between RM3 and RM10.

Even though many hotel operators have lowered their prices, Malaysian Association of Hotels honorary secretary-general Sam Cheah Swee Hee said it was still a free market.

"Hotels would set their prices based on cost implications. High standards cannot be compromised. The operational costs of higher-end hotels differ."

He said the prices imposed depended on the target market.

"We do not lower or increase prices at the spur of the moment. Costing is done at least a few months earlier to yield a better return of investment."

When there was a price hike in goods, he said, hotels would not increase the price on the menu.

"Hotels simply cannot afford to print new menu prices every time."

When asked if unregulated charges for Ramadan buffets would be unfair to average income earners, he said the public could make their choice whether to dine in such establishments.

"There are more affordable venues to choose from and consumers have to decide according to their means."

He said even food courts offered buka puasa buffets these days.

"At the end of the day, if families want to spend less, there are available hotels that may not be five-star but offer good standard of service," he said.

About hotels that were serving Ramadan buffets without halal certificates, Cheah told hoteliers: "Do not misuse the halal logo and do not misrepresent yourself to customers."