More Ascott-branded hotels to open in Malaysia

 

Citadines Prai Penang

The Ascott Ltd. (Ascott), the lodging division of CapitaLand Investment Ltd. (CLI), will open a few hotels in Malaysia's major cities as part of its expansion strategy within the next two years.

The hotels are lyf Raja Chulan Kuala Lumpur, Domitys Bangsar Kuala Lumpur, Somerset KL Metropolis Kuala Lumpur, Citadines Waterfront Kota Kinabalu, Citadines Tanjung Tokong Penang, and Harris Sunshine Penang.

Ascott pioneered Asia Pacific's first international-class serviced apartment with the opening of The Ascott Singapore in 1984 and is now an international lodging owner-operator with a portfolio spanning over 220 cities across more than 40 countries in Asia Pacific, Central Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the United States.

Besides Kuala Lumpur, Ascott is increasing its investments in Penang.

The company recently completed converting Sky Residence Prai into Citadines Prai Penang.

Citadines Prai Penang, located in Bukit Mertajam, comprises studio, one, and two-bedroom serviced residences.

It marked the third operational property and first Citadines within Penang for Ascott Malaysia.

Penang's tourism industry is seeing a strong recovery, with overall passenger traffic at the Penang International Airport (PIA) increasing 681 percent to 4.24 million people in 2022 from 543,519 in 2021, following the reopening of international borders.

Since the borders were reopened last year, the state's tourism sector has experienced a significant upturn.

Yeoh Soon Hin, the chairman of the committee for tourism and creative economies, reportedly said that the tourism sector had rebounded by more than 60 per cent this year.

Even though borders were only opened for nine months in 2022, the state's tourism industry is coming up to the pre-pandemic level, according to him.

By the end of this year, Penang can anticipate a complete return to pre-pandemic levels, said Yeoh.

Another industry insider said that this year's tourist arrivals in Penang are trending better than they were during the same time last year.

"We are seeing higher tourism statistics since more travellers are choosing South East Asia because of our affordable travel costs, special islands, and tourist destinations. We benefit from our advantageous location, and we are a safe and stable country.

"This year and in 2024, we do expect additional hotels and condotels to open in Penang. Some might involve acquiring existing properties and renovating them with greater branding," he told NST Property.

Citadines Prai Penang - a distinctive lodging for expats, business travellers

The 168 serviced apartments are positioned to fulfill various lifestyle needs in Bukit Mertajam, which is home to multinational corporations (MNCs), offices, and high-tech businesses, according to Ascott's country general manager for Malaysia, Mondi Mecja.

"Penang mainland is now booming with expats especially from China, and South Korea, and with industrial parks, paving the way for foreign investors to boom into a mega-development.

"Our main objective is to tell the world and educate about Penang heritage, the culture, the food the traditions of Penang hence a safe place for a holiday and there are so many places in Prai to explore," he said during the establishment revamp proclamation ceremony recently.

Juru Sentral and Icon City are both within easy walking distance of the serviced apartment.

The building is owned by Exopuri Development Sdn Bhd, which is also the developer of projects in Juru Sentral that include condominiums, a SoHo apartment tower, and store spaces for small businesses.

Ng Kok Leong co-founded Exopuri in 1996, and it has already completed projects with a RM250 million gross development value.

Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, who officiated the event, said that Seberang Perai is growing rapidly with various tourism, industrial, residential, and commercial projects underway.

"Through the various initiatives of the state government in collaboration with the private sector, we can continue to capitalise on the opportunities available and spearhead the development of Seberang Perai as the new destination of choice for people to live, work and visit," he said.

-nst online.