TAR, Merlin in talks to bring in more attractions

THEMED Attractions and Resorts Sdn Bhd (TAR), are in talks with Merlin Entertainments Group to discuss the possibility of opening other attractions in Malaysia.

Managing director and chief executive Tunku Datuk Ahmad Burhanuddin said other attractions under Merlin Entertainment would be located in other parts of the country.

"We are in negotiations with Merlin Entertainments to offer other products under the group but they would be on a smaller scale compared with Legoland Malaysia," he said.

However, he said negotiations were in the initial stages as the focus right now was on the Legoland Malaysia theme park.
TAR, the recreation and tourism division under Khazanah Nasional, Merlin Entertainments and Iskandar Investment Bhd (IIB) collaborated to develop the RM720 million Legoland Malaysia theme park.

Legoland Malaysia, the first in Malaysia and sixth in the world, was officially opened on September 15, drawing thousands of visitors from home and abroad.

Besides Legoland Malaysia, Themed Attractions will unveil water attractions such as Ocean Splash Water Park and Ocean Quest Marine Park in Desaru Coast and the Legoland Hotel which would open for business in 2014, all at a cost of RM1.6 billion.

Besides the Legoland theme park, other attractions available under Merlin Entertainments include the Madame Tussauds wax museum, Sea Life, The Dungeons, The EDF Energy London Eye, Heide Park and Warwick Castle.

On Legoland Malaysia, Ahmad Burhanuddin said it was the first of its kind in Asia and had exceeded expectations. It is expected to spur the further development of the state and Iskandar Malaysia.

He said the opening of the Legoland Malaysia theme park had a multiplier effect on the state's hotel, services, transport, food and beverage industries.

"Many industries and the local economy will receive the positive multiplier effect from the opening of Legoland Malaysia," he said adding that hotels in Johor Baru were fully booked since the opening.

To date, 80,000 annual passes to Legoland Malaysia have been sold.

Ahmad Burhanuddin said preparations were now underway for the November unveiling of the much anticipated Puteri Harbour Family Theme Park in Nusajaya which promises to bring many unique 'first' and exciting new experiences to the state.

The Puteri Harbour Family Theme Park will offer attractions such as Hello Kitty, Lat's Place, Angelina Ballerina, Bob The Builder, Barney, Pingu, Thomas and Friends and many others.

Bernama

Johor set to become Malaysia's movie capital

JOHOR BARU: The development of Pinewood Iskandar Malaysia Studios in Iskandar Malaysia will position Johor at the forefront of the local creative industry and transform it into Malaysia's movie capital, says its chief executive, Michael Lake.

He said that while Pinewood was marketing Malaysia as a destination for film-making, it was also promoting it for companies to set up their infrastructure as well.

"Johor is going to be the real beneficiary economically of what we're doing here," he said.

By the end of 2013, he said, the development of Pinewood, a studio complex located on a 20ha site in Nusajaya at the heart of the Iskandar Malaysia Development Region, would have created 1,500 jobs in an export-oriented industry, while financing from overseas over the next decade was estimated to be around RM1.8 billion.
It will be the largest independent integrated studio facility in Southeast Asia, offering state-of-the-art film stages, TV studios and post-production suites from early 2013.

Pinewood will have two television studios, both 12,000 sq ft in area, with seating capacities of 600 and 800 people, respectively.

In addition, there will be five film stages covering a total of 100,000 sq ft, two 20,000 sq ft stages, two 15,000 sq ft stages and a 30,000 sq ft stage.

The largest stage will have a water tank for productions involving work on or under water.

"This is not just about building the facilities in the hope that people will come, it's about building a big creative industry in Malaysia," said Lake, adding that providing training and opportunity were also Pinewood's key goals.

Shamsul Cairel Abdul Karim, a local filmmaker at Maskarya Sdn Bhd, described the entry of Pinewood as a breath of fresh air because, besides offering new jobs, it would enable Malaysian film-makers to take advantage of its vast experience.

"It knows the tricks of the trade well, which means it can do things much better from a technical perspective and, in turn, push forward local content and production," he said.

"Pinewood will be a one-stop shop. A producer could walk up to the front door with a script and leave at the end of the production with a file ready to go to the broadcast television or the cinema," he said.

"What we are doing is laying the foundations of an international industry. We have started marketing in the US and Europe, and have received lots of interest out of India about filming here," said Lake.

Bernama

Malaysian restaurants cook up a storm overseas

MALAYSIAN restaurants under the brand name Malaysia Kitchen Programmes (MKP) are slowly but surely gaining a foothold in the overseas markets.

International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed said there was a 42.5 per cent increase in number of new Malaysian restaurants registered with MKP.

In terms of revenue, participating MKP restaurants in the US, UK, Australia and New Zealand registered a combined 23.7 per cent increase in revenue.

"Going forward, leveraging on the image and growing popularity of MKP to win confidence of consumers in the market, efforts are being taken to bring Malaysia into every home in targeted markets through supplies of products and services," he told a news conference here, last night.
The MKP, with the primary objective to brand Malaysia through its cuisine, began in 2006.

It has gone through various agencies and ministries, such as the Economic Planning Unit and the Ministry of Entrepreneur and Co-operative Development. It was then put under the Ministries of Tourism and Foreign Affairs before it was assigned to the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade) in late 2009.

Mustapa said over the past two years, MKP has evolved to become a national branding initiative. Through an integrated and holistic approach, the MKP introduces Malaysian products and services that spans from food to non-food.

It has also elevated Malaysia's offerings in tourism in major cities such as New York, London, Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Auckland and Wellington.

In 2010, a survey showed that there were 454 Malaysian restaurants worldwide located mainly in Australia, the US, the UK, Canada, Indonesia, Thailand, China, Hong Kong, Netherlands and New Zealand.

This year, the number of Malaysian restaurants worldwide has risen to 647.

Mustapa said Matrade' promotional initiatives in 2010 were focused on "creating a buzz" in seven major cities in four mainstay markets, namely the US, the UK, Australia and New Zealand.

A year later, it was expanded to include three cities in China and Hong Kong.

"The number of restaurants has increased about 42.5 per cent since the relaunch of MKP in 2010," he said.

The minister added that about 1.3 billion people in New York, London, Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Auckland and Wellington learned about Malaysia through the MKP media programme.

Currently, some 1,056 Malaysian product lines representing 265 brands are on the shelves of 50 mainstream supermarkets in London, New York, Sydney and Auckland.

Besides, a total of 864 reviews on the MKP's activities undertaken were lodged in the largest On-line Food Guide in London and New York.

For the first time, Malaysian restaurants have received Michelin awards in New York and recognition in Hong Kong.

Mustapa said the Malaysia Kitchen Programme has also spurred more Malaysian franchises abroad and led to the establishment of a Malaysian restaurant association in the United Kingdom.

By Zaidi Isham Ismail

Best Western out to take Malaysia by storm

BEST Western International (BWI), the world's largest hotel chain, plans to take Malaysian market by storm with the target to have 20 hotels in the country by 2015.

President and chief executive of Trinidad Group of Companies, Naresh Mohan said there are currently six hotels under construction, with a collective development value of around RM1 billion.

Three hotels - Best Western Shah Alam, Kuala Lumpur, Best Western Premier The Haven in Ipoh, Perak, and Best Western Premier MITC in Melaka - will be opened in the fourth quarter of 2013.

Two hotels - Best Western Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur, and Best Western Plus CentreStage in Petaling Jaya Section 13, Selangor - will be opened in 2014 and Best Western Plus 1 Gateway Klang, Selangor, will be opened in 2015.
"Our goal is to reach at least 20 hotels with over 2000 hotel rooms by 2015," he said during the launch of BWI's luxury brand, Best Western Premier Dua Sentral, last week.

Best Western Premier Dua Sentral, located in the rapidly developing commercial and business district of KL Sentral, was developed by Amanah Raya Bhd with an investment of RM280 million.

Trinidad Group is the operator of BWI hotels in Malaysia and currently operates five BWI brand hotels in Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan, Pangkor Island, Malacca and Kuala Lumpur.

Meanwhile, chairman of Tourism Malaysia Datuk Dr. Victor Wee said it is delightful to see BWI enter into the Malaysian market.

He said this is a reflection of confidence in the future of the country by an international brand and reflects well for the nation's future growth.

"We as a country need to continuously promote our culture, arts and heritage in drawing more tourists to our beautiful nation. The addition of Best Western International in Malaysia will definitely aid our endeavor to promote Malaysia," he said.

He added that the number of international visitors to Malaysia was 7.9 million in 1999 and it generated RM12.3 billion. In 2011, the number of the visitors rose to 24.9 million which generated RM58.3 billion.

By 2015, this figure is predicted to grow to a staggering 29.7 million tourists generating RM115 billion in incomes for Malaysia, he said.

Open house can be huge tourist draw

ENJOYABLE EXPERIENCE: Country can use this uniquely Malaysian practice to attract foreigners

Locals and foreigners at an open house in Kota Kinabalu early this week. This open house tradition will boost unity and tourism. Pic by Edmund Samunting

 

KUALA LUMPUR: HOLDING open house is a unique Malaysian trait. It not only promotes unity among the races but can also be put on the tourism calendar.

The various key players and stakeholders in the tourismindustry said the country could use the open house concept to promote itself to the world.

“This is the beauty of our country. People open up their homes to those from different walks of life, and this strengthens unity and harmony,” said Tourism Malaysia chairman Datuk Dr Victor Wee.

He said tourism industry players could combine their open house functions with other programmes to allow tourists to experience Malaysian culture.

“Many tourists participate in homestay programmes to experience village life. It will be great if we can organise Hari Raya celebrations in homestays.

At the same time, every state has its own way of celebrating Hari Raya.

“Tourists will find this a fulfilling vacation as they get to learn about different traditions.”

Echoing Wee’s concerns, Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents president Datuk Mohd Khalid Harun said despite open house being a distinct Malaysian feature, not many tour operators promoted it to foreign tourists.

“Tour operators should encourage foreigners to visit Malaysia during festive seasons. It is a unique concept that isn’t seen in other parts of the world,” he told the New Straits Times yesterday.
Khalid said promoting the open house could also boost the aviation industry, as more tourists would fly to the country.

In supporting the idea, Tourism Malaysia director-general Datuk Mirza Mohammad Taiyab Beg urged government agencies to inform the department of the dates and venues of their open house functions so that tour operators could include them in their itineraries.

“The open house can draw a lot of tourists. We will be happy to promote it.”

Even Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, during his Hari Raya open house on Sunday, expressed happiness that Malaysians held this practice abroad, including serving lemang, ketupat and rendang to guests.

He described the open house tradition as a unique practice adopted by Malaysians to mark festivities.

Tour operator Datin Baizura Abu Bakar said the open house showed the true spirit of unity. “The spirit of 1Malaysia is seen in the Hari Raya open house. “People from all walks of life mix with one another.”

Baizura said tourists who attended the open house would enjoy the experience.
"They will feel that Malaysia is their second home."

Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk S.K. Devamany said the open house concept promoted unity among the races.

"This tradition, which dates back to 1960s, is entrenched in our culture. People understand each other's way of life this way.

"There is no better way to bring together so many races under one roof. Therefore, Malaysians should be encouraged to have open house to boost unity.

"People all over the world crave for this sort of togetherness. This tradition of ours is a highly bankable one for the tourism sector."

By SEAN AUGUSTIN, YISWAREE PALANSAMY AND NURADILLA NOOR AZAM

Additional reporting by Nuradilla Noorazam and Hashini Kannan

RM420m upgrade for Subang Skypark

KUALA LUMPUR: Subang Skypark Sdn Bhd is set to embark on a RM420 million ambitious infrastructure development plan to transform the former Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport, now known as Subang Skypark, into a full-fledged aerospace city by 2015.

Its executive director Tan Sri Ravindran Menon said the company is planning to utilise between four and 4.8 hectares of land opposite Terminal 3 to build a boutique hotel, an aviation museum and theme park as part of a retail mall.

"We are in the final round of talks with our expert joint-venture partner, a local established player in the retail and hotel industry.

"The development named Skypark Nexus will have an approximate built-up area of one million square feet and will rejuvenate the airport's branding as well as enhance the wholesomeness of customer experience in the airport and its surrounding areas," he said.

Ravindran said negotiations are expected to be concluded by year-end and works are set to commence in January.

He added that Skypark Nexus, which will be completed in 24 months, is budgeted to cost between RM300 million and RM350 million.

Ravindran said the proposed retail mall and hotel will be between four- and five-storey high and Subang Skypark is now talking to the local government to widen the main roads fronting the proposed development to avoid traffic congestion.

While describing the project as a perfect public- private partnership, he said the cost will be financed through internal fundings and bank borrowings.

"The special aspect in the development is that there will be a bridge linking the mall and the terminal building - a concept rarely seen in any other city airports worldwide," Ravindran said, adding that Subang Skypark Sdn Bhd will invest more than RM70 million to build five new hangars across the current airport runway.

He added the new facilities will elevate Subang Skypark to be on par with other city airports and corporate aviation operators worldwide.

Since most aviation-related corporations headquarters are situated in the surroundings of Subang Skypark, Ravindran said Subang will be better known as an aerospace city in the next three years.

"We want to be a fine example to Malaysia Airports on how to develop a city airport. This place will surely boom in years to come as all aviation-related investments will come to this area.

"There are also plans to establish an aviation technical college, of which Measat Satellite Systems Sdn Bhd is currently looking at that proposal," he said.

Bernama

 

Pan Pacific KLIA undergoes RM56m upgrade

The 442-room airport hotel commenced the upgrade in June this year and expects it to be completed by March next year.
PAN Pacific KLIA, a hotel owned by Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd, has started a RM56 million makeover that will see the property incorporate hi-tech gadgets and digital components.

"What we are doing is bringing the hotel to a 21st Century state by taking advantage of modern technology," general manager Hans Winsnes said.

The 442-room airport hotel commenced the upgrade in June this year and expects it to be completed by March next year.

"We will be fully refurbished by March-end in 2013, in time for the Formula 1 Grand Prix (in Sepang)," Wisnes told Business Times in a recent interview.
Of the RM56 million, 60 per cent will go towards furniture and fittings while the remaining 40 per cent will be for mechanical and engineering works.

Winsnes expects return on investment on the RM56 million makeover to take 11 years.

The guest rooms will be fitted with IPTV. "With this, we will have a lot more content to offer in terms of entertainment," he said.

The hotel is also working on playing its part in reducing the carbon footprint. After successfully installing the Inncom room ambiance control system (Inncom) in 1998, it plans to make a further RM6 million investment into an upgraded fully operated system.

"We spent RM2.7 million on Inncom which saw the hotel's utility bill come down and see full payback on the system within three years," he said.

Staff at Pan Pacific, who now bring three times more revenue than they did when it opened 14 years ago, have not been forgotten.

One example is in housekeeping. The hotel is installing an Ezi-Maid, a bed-lifting system which allows beds to be made easily without the need for much bending.

At the same time, once the bed is raised, it allows vacuuming under the bed.

Meanwhile, Winsnes said that the hotel's performance this year will be better than last year's despite the ongoing works.

Pan Pacific expects the occupancy to decline to 62.8 per cent and achieve an ARR of RM380 for 2012 as it undergoes the refurbishment exercise. Revenue for the year is projected to be RM80 million.

In 2011, the hotel finished the year with an average occupancy of 68.4 per cent and an ARR of RM347. It chalked up a revenue of RM76 million.

Once the entire makeover is completed in the first quarter of 2013, the hotel's performance is expected to improve further as occupancy hits 65.1 per cent and ARR will improve to its highest level at RM408 a night.

By VASANTHA GANESAN