KOTA TINGGI – The master developer of resort destination Desaru Coast says it is welcoming foreign and domestic investments as part of its long-term plans to cement itself as a major player in Johor’s tourism and hospitality sector.
The call for investments came following the conclusion of the first phase of its infrastructure works and the launching of its international ferry terminal recently.
Desaru Development Holdings One Sdn Bhd chief executive and managing director Roslina Arbak said the opening of the Desaru Coast Ferry Terminal, which connects holidaymakers from Singapore, and Indonesia’s Riau islands of Bintan and Batam, has marked the end of phase one of putting all the catalytic facilities and infrastructure in place.
Currently, Desaru Coast is home to a pool of globally renowned hotels and resorts, such as Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast, The Westin Desaru Coast Resort, Anantara Desaru Coast Resort and Villas, as well as the One&Only Desaru Coast resort.
Desaru Coast is also a major portfolio of Khazanah Nasional-owned Themed Attractions Resorts & Hotels Sdn Bhd (TARH).
The investment holding company is tasked with the development, management, and operations of premier hospitality and attraction destinations in Malaysia.
Spanning approximately 4,000 acres along a 17km pristine beachfront, Desaru Coast has plenty of room for development, Roslina said.
“We have a substantial amount of development spaces still available,” Roslina said during the official launching of the Desaru Coast Ferry Terminal on Thursday last week.
“We are looking for like-minded investors who are willing to come in to look at long-term projects that can enhance the offerings of Desaru Coast.”
On the specific types of development that Desaru Coast is eyeing, Roslina said the developer is staying true to its goal of being a tourism player, and that it will continue to attract investors interested in the industry.
However, she also indicated that Desaru Coast is looking into the possibility of opening up to the property sector.
“In any large developments like these, there will be interest in development within living populations, so there will be some level of property play as well,” she said.
Aside from the line of luxurious and exquisite hotels and resorts, Desaru Coast is also home to the Adventure Waterpark Desaru Coast, which is touted as one of the world’s largest waterparks.
Additionally, the destination – which stands just an hour’s drive away from Johor Baru – is complemented by the Desaru Conference Centre, and has two distinct golf clubs, Ocean Course by Ernie Els, and Valley Course by Vijay Singh, both with 45 holes in total.
To complement the elaborate golf courses, the destination also includes the Desaru Coast Riverside, a 23-acre waterfront that is a retail and lifestyle village.
Last Thursday, Johor ruler Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar officially launched the new Desaru Coast Ferry Terminal, Malaysia’s latest point of entry for international arrivals, which is set to facilitate tourism and economic growth in southeast Johor.
However, the ferry operations are expected to commence later this year, with no exact date confirmed so far.
Roslina called the ferry terminal a “game changer” that will enable Desaru Coast to unlock new market and business opportunities.
“The new connectivity infrastructure will allow an increase in the volume of visitors, putting us in a better position to capture the wider regional Mice (Meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions) market where we can offer bespoke, experiential, and authentic events under our signature Mice Reinvented programme,” she told a recent press conference.
“From a longer-term strategic perspective, we are ready to welcome like-minded investors who wish to leverage the infrastructure and facilities we have put in place to further enhance destination offerings and ensure the success of all players at Desaru Coast.”
Open to collaboration
Meanwhile, long-term investor TARH said it intends to hold assets at Desaru Coast that were deemed strategic and critical in enabling the achievement of the planned growth and business direction targets.
TARH indicated that it is willing to cooperate with potential stakeholders to develop the destination.
“That said, disciplined investors would agree with the stance of being willing to consider any genuine offer made at the right time and at the right price, which is aligned with the overall strategic direction for the destination,” TARH told The Vibes in a statement when contacted.
“We also remain open to working and collaborating with parties who are interested to operate in or can bring value to and consequently contribute to the success of Desaru Coast.”
In his speech at the launch of the ferry terminal, Desaru Development Holdings One chairman Datuk Amran Hafiz Affifudin, said the facility is seen as a component and catalyst of connectivity in international tourism.
The growth in international arrivals is expected to have a positive economic multiplier effect on the businesses of tourism players, entrepreneurs, and other industries, apart from driving job creation.
The launching of the ferry terminal and Desaru Coast’s call for investors arrive amid Malaysia fully reopening its borders to international tourists and visitors on April 1, marking a step to economic recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic.
Similar to Roslina, Amran also said the destination is opening its doors to investments from home and abroad.
“I am also confident it will be recognised as an international connectivity hub and as a major entry point into Malaysia that will indirectly bring great benefits to Johor and Malaysia,” he said.
“We welcome the presence of foreign and domestic investors who have a similar long-term perspective and who are ready to realise our strategic and commercial plans.” – The Vibes, April 8, 2022
