New tourism projects in Johor to lure Europeans and Asians.

11th March, 2013

New tourism projects in Johor to lure Europeans and Asians.

DESTINATION Resorts and Hotels' (DRH) upcoming developments in Nusajaya and Desaru Coast in Malaysia's southern state of Johor are set to appeal to both longhaul and shorthaul markets, using Singapore as a gateway. According to DRH managing director, Mohd Nadziruddin Mohd Basri, the 283-key Traders Hotel Puteri Harbour – opening in May 2013 – and Legoland Hotel – due to launch in 1Q2014 – will be located next to the Legoland theme park in Nusajaya.

Also in Johor, another DRH project rolling out in 2015 is Desaru Coast. Located a one-and-a-half-hour drive from Singapore, the integrated destination offers a 17km beachfront, luxury resorts by international brands such as Amanresorts, The Datai and Sheraton, a waterfront retail village, a convention centre, two water theme parks and two championship golf courses at the first Els Club in Asia.

To reach out to tour operators and MICE planners in Europe, DRH will conduct a roadshow in Scandinavia in September and will also participate in joint sales missions with Tourism Malaysia and Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau this year. Tour operators in neighbouring Singapore are also looking forward to Johor’s new tourism offerings.

Dominic Ong, general manager of Star Holiday Mart Singapore, said: “Currently, the leisure market spends two nights in Singapore and three days in Desaru. But once the development is completed, we can look at packages combining two nights in Singapore and seven nights in Desaru Coast for the European market, which loves nature and beachfront hotels. “With the new hotels, we can also look at converting Legoland Malaysia from a day trip to a one- or two-night stay for the regional as well as Chinese and Indian markets.”

Helen Goh, director of marketing at Vacation Asia Singapore, added: “Singapore’s green fee is expensive and on weekends, most golf courses are for members only. With the Els Club golf courses, we can do golfing on weekends in Desaru Coast and weekdays in Singapore.” 

By: S Puvaneswary, ITB Berlin

Copyright@TTG Asia Media Pte Ltd 2013

DRH Set To Attract More International Business Travellers.

Date: 28 February 2013

DRH Set To Attract More International Business Travellers.

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 28 (Bernama) -- Destination Resorts and Hotels (DRH) is set to lure more international business travellers and tourists to Malaysia with its exciting developments that are expected to elevate the business tourism landscape in the region.

In a statement issued today, DRH said it has participated in the Asia-Pacific Incentives & Meetings Expo (AIME), which was held in Melbourne, Australia recently, to reinforce its standing as a leader in the business and introduce its meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE) and leisure offerings that cater to a wide range of tourists.

"We understand that we must have an edge over our competitors as the MICE industry is growing so rapidly that it is now even more dynamic compared to years ago. From business travellers and delegates, leisure holiday makers and golf aficionados to families and honeymooners, all our destinations will draw visitors of different interests and provide a new level of excitement and experience, including creating value for event organisers for every event held at our destinations," said Managing Director Nadziruddin Basri.

DRH, a master planner, investor and developer of destination resorts in the country, is currently developing several premium business destinations in Johor that will elevate the MICE offerings in the region.

One of DRH's main developments is Desaru Coast which is poised to be the region's first luxury integrated destination. Desaru Coast spans over 3,900 acres of land along a 17 kilometre beach fronting the magnificent South China Sea and will be developed in three phases with the Phase 1 of Desaru Coast due for completion in 2015. DRH said the multi-billion dollar destination resort will boast a state-of-the-art MICE venue, the Desaru Convention Centre, which could accommodate up to 1,000 persons.

Also in the state of Johor, another key development under DRH's portfolio is the Little Red Cube in Puteri Harbour, the luxury waterfront development in Nusajaya, Johor, which houses an internationally renowned hotel brand, Traders Hotel, and a family-oriented theme park.

In addition, DRH is developing LEGOLAND Hotel Malaysia in Nusajaya, Johor, which is scheduled to open its doors in 2014, which will be the first LEGO-themed hotel in Asia and the fourth in the world.

Copyright @ BERNAMA

World's 1st Sesame Street theme park ride at USS.

Date: 22 February 2013

World's 1st Sesame Street theme park ride at USS.

SINGAPORE - Sesame Street fans will finally get to enjoy the world's first Sesame Street indoor theme park ride when it officially opens on March 1. The indoor ride within the park's New York zone was initially slated to launch in the 2nd half of 2012, but it was delayed.

With the latest addition of the ride based on the world's oldest children's TV programme, this brings the total number of rides at the local theme park to 23.

While this is not the first time Universal Studios is featuring the Sesame Street franchise at its parks, it is the first time it is introducing a themed ride. Universal Studios Osaka has a 4D Sesame Street show. The new attraction, called the Sesame Street Spaghetti Space Chase, will feature 12 characters in a fully immersive setting. It has a science-fiction plot and enlists the help of guests to defeat villains.

Director of Park Operations, Brian Machamer, revealed that the site that the new ride sits on was originally planned for an ET-themed ride. But that plan was scrapped. Mr Machamer said: "A decision was made three years ago not to do the ET ride, and to do something more current and more for kids and families to be able to ride together.

"After the park opened, we decided that we needed something more family-oriented so we changed it from ET to Sesame Street. The Sesame Street characters were so successful in Japan, we knew the characters would be well received in Singapore," he added.

RWS also revealed at a press conference on Monday that three brand new characters were created exclusively for this ride. They are: “Macaroni the Merciless” and his partners–in-crime, “Zester” and “Shredder”. The gluttonous super villains have a ploy to steal all spaghetti and noodles on Earth.

When guests hop onto Elmo's rocket, they will get to help Super Grover and Super Elmo - who have both been given superhero status - to stop Macaroni the Merciless and return all stolen spaghetti and noodles to the children on Earth.

Celebrating the launch of the ride, the park will host a special Sesame Street Carnival from March 1 to 3. New York Street will be transformed into an extension of Sesame Street, bringing park guests a weekend of fun and excitement.

Completing the Sesame Street experience at USS, an all-new Sesame Street Character Breakfast at Loui’s NY Pizza Parlor has also been launched. Those who dine at the breakfast buffet will get priority to board the ride before the park opens.

The unique Sesame Street Character Breakfast menu is available on weekends and selected holidays from 9am. Tickets are priced at $44 each for adults and $32 each for children, on top of park entry fees.

By maryanns@sph.com.sg  & hteoh@sph.com.sg

Copyright © 2013 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd

KidZania opening in Sentosa.

Date: 29 January 2013

KidZania opening in Sentosa.

KUALA LUMPUR: THE government investment Khazanah Nasional Bhd has expanded its leisure and tourism portfolio with the opening of the Lion City’s first indoor educational and entertainment theme park, KidZania, at Sentosa Island. The Singapore outlet will be Themed Attractions and Resorts Sdn Bhd (TAR) second offering of the Mexican theme park developer in the region.

“Similar to KidZania Kuala Lumpur, KidZania Singapore will also provide a ‘win-win-win-win’ proposition,” said TAR chief executive officer Tunku Ahmad Burhanuddin in a statement.

He said parents will be pleased their children are being entertained while they are learning in a safe and stimulating setting. Children are able to role-play and have fun in an enriching environment, he added. KidZania combines role playing with real-life experiences in a kid-sized city.

“It’s good for schools because KidZania Singapore will offer valuable life-learning away from the classroom, and a memorable destination for school trips.”

At KidZania Singapore, TAR and Sentosa Development Corporation will share the strategic goal of promoting quality family bonding time in attractions with unique concepts.

KidZania Singapore is central to TAR’s objective of developing, managing and operating attractions that are family-orientated, such as its recently opened theme parks in Iskandar Malaysia — Legoland and Puteri Harbour Family Theme Park known for its “Sanrio Hello Kitty Town”, “The Little Big Club” attraction and “Lat’s Place”.

The KidZania concept has since experienced rapid global growth and now has 11 locations, across four continents in eight countries, including Tokyo, Dubai, Seoul and Lisbon. Together with KidZania Singapore, a total of 13 locations are under development in Bangkok, Kuwait, Jeddah, Moscow, Mumbai, Sao Paolo, Manila, Istanbul, Cairo, London, US and Qatar.

Copyright @ 2012 Malay Mail Sdn. Bhd.