Trade hails arrival of One&Only Desaru Coast

 

Tourism providers in Malaysia welcomed the opening of ultra-luxe resort One&Only Desaru Coast – the brand’s first Asian outpost – as timely as it offers them an opportunity to tap the under-served upmarket segment in the destination amid the pandemic.

Uzaidi Udanis, president, Malaysian Inbound Tourism Association, said that the award-winning resort, which opened its doors earlier this month, “caters for the high-end segment which is sorely needed” as luxury hotels and resorts in the country remain scant.

“With the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, Malaysians are not allowed to travel overseas. The high-end domestic segment is often overlooked by the travel trade as they usually holiday abroad. But this is the time to capture this segment and the opening of One&Only Desaru Coast is timely,” he added.

Adam Kamal, head of procurement & domestic market, Ice Holidays, shared that One&Only Desaru Coast has created buzz among the elite for being the brand’s first property in Asia, throwing up an opportunity for agents to tap high-yield domestic tourists for higher returns.

He opined: “Travel agents need to be smart in coming up with innovative packages so that domestic travellers buy from them.”

Spread across 51ha, One&Only Desaru Coast offers a collection of 42 Junior Suites, a pair of two-bedroom Grand Suites and an exclusive four-bedroom Villa One. All suites boast private plunge pools, as well as indoor and outdoor living spaces. Nestled on the south-eastern shoreline of Malaysia, the tropical retreat is designed by Kerry Hill Architects.

-TTG Asia.