Hotel Players Urged Not To Underprice, Under-Value Services

KUALA LUMPUR, March 17 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has urged hotel industry players not to underprice or under-value their services. He said their action may not necessarily bring in more business as high-end tourists did not mind spending. "The hotel rates in Malaysia are the lowest in Asia-Pacific," Najib said at the opening the Royale Chulan Kuala Lumpur here on Wednesday. The five-star hotel, owned by Lembaga Tabung Angkatan Tentera (LTAT) and managed by Boustead Holdings Bhd via Boustead Hotels & Resorts Sdn Bhd, cost RM200 million. Najib said the country wanted tourists to have a "memorable and pleasant experience". "In this respect, taxi drivers need to be always polite and friendly," he said. He said the government would always give priority in the development of the tourism industry. "In January, the tourist arrivals rose by 1.4 per cent. We hope that this year, the tourist arrivals will be higher than in 2009. Last year, the country managed to attract 23.6 million tourists," he said.

Meanwhile, LTAT chairman, Tan Sri Mohd Anwar Mohd Nor, said the company aimed to invest in valuable properties within the bustling city. "The hotel complements our other properties, namely Bangunan LTAT and Chulan Tower which are both located within the radius of the Royale Chulan," he said. He said Boustead Group's experience in managing a successful chain of Royale Bintang hotels would augur well for the group. "We are confident that with their track record, the Royale Chulan Kuala Lumpur will also be successful," he said. Boustead Holdings group managing director, Tan Sri Lodin Wok Kamaruddin said, the Royale Chulan was a jewel in the crown of the Royale Bintang group of hotels."Since its opening in April last year, the hotel is fast gaining an enviable reputation as the venue of choice for prestigious events locally and internationally," he said.
http://www.theroyalechulan.com.my/