Johor's latest jewel Legoland Malaysia, which aims to increase visitors' length of stay to the southern state when it opens end-2012, said it was not out to fight for the same slice of the tourist market as its theme park neighbour, but to “expand the cake for more to share”. “We want to transform this region into an Orlando where all the big brands will be,” said Muhammad Zainal Ashikin, CEO of IDR Resorts, which is developing Legoland in partnership with Merlin Entertainments Group.
When asked if visitors would get “theme park fatigue”, Zainal believed there was “no saturation in this region”. “If you travel to Orlando, you don't just go to Disney. You'd want to maximise your time there,” he said. Isma Ezwan Safri, vice president, strategy and implementation, strategic communications, Iskandar Regional Development Authority, also noted that while many were visiting Singapore but staying overnight in Johor Baru (JB) due to cheaper rooms in the latter, Legoland and other upcoming leisure developments in the Iskandar Malaysia region would allow travel agents to come up with new packages that combined both destinations.
“Legoland will be a game-changer from 2012, a tipping point. People will then start to stay in JB and enjoy JB products.” Mohammed Izuddin Bin Rosli, vice president of communications and external relations, added that while Singapore had casinos for the adults, Johor's attractions would be more “family-oriented”. Added Isma: “Legoland and Universal Studios are complementing each other rather than competing.”
-TTG Asia.
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