KOTA KINABALU: Kota Kinabalu City Hall (KKCH) will approve applications to operate budget hotels offering ???bed and breakfast??? services provided they are in compliance with the bylaws, mayor Datuk Iliyas Ibrahim said yesterday.

He said KKCH supported the setting up of more budget hotels in the city with the increasing number of tourist arrivals and demand for such accommodation.

???City Hall will do its best to facilitate and not frustrate any application for such business, and lauds the initiative by the Sabah Backpackers Association (SBA) to bring together operators of small budget hotels,??? he said after receiving a courtesy call today from SBA members led by acting protem president Susan Soong.

Iliyas said association members operating budget hotels should look into expanding their business in the city, particularly in Sinsuran, Bandaran Berjaya and Segama.

Soong said the newly formed association would serve as a channel of communication for all budget hotel operators with the relevant authorities.

She said apart from looking after members??? welfare, the association hoped to help City Hall ensure the cleanliness of low budget accommodation in the city. ??? Bernama