Saturday 6 May 2017

MALAYSIA: Johor Government Targeting A Million Tourists From China

The Johor government is targeting one million tourist arrivals from China this year with the introduction of the Guangzhou-Johor Baru route by AirAsia.

Tourism, Trade and Consumerism Committee chairman Datuk Tee Siew Kiong is confident Johor would receive more tourists from China and thus boost the tourism sector.

“I expect tourists arrivals from China to increase by 30 percent this year to more than one million people,” he said after welcoming passengers of the inaugural flight from Guangzhou to Johor Baru at Senai International Airport (SIA) here recently.

Tee said AsiaAsia Berhad took timely action in introducing the route in line with the rising number of tourists, traders and investors from China, especially Guangzhou.

This initiative can shorten the travelling time by three hours and facilitate arrival of the people of both cities, he added.

The Guangzhou-Johor Baru flight arrived at 6.50am with 176 passengers comprising 95 percent Chinese nationals while the rest were Malaysians.

Tourist arrivals from China rose from 628,087 in 2014 to 797,862 last year (2015) or an increase of 169,775 people.

Meanwhile, Senai Airport Terminal Services Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Md Derick Basir said they set aside RM7mil for upgrading of SIA from July until the middle of December.

The upgrading work include separating the domestic and international divisions. After renovation, gate one and two will be for international flights while gate three and four are for domestic flights.

Others include seven new check-in counters to make it a total of 23 counters, restructuring of the immigration counters and the addition of 16 retail business and food and beverage premises.

We will also put up signs in various languages including Bahasa Malaysia, English and other foreign languages depending on the majority of users in line with the government’s desire to make SIA of global standard.

Meanwhile, AS a township development that utilises cutting-edge technology, i-City has been consistently upgrading its infrastructure to create a 72-acre freehold ultrapolis which combines residential, commercial, retail, entertainment and tourism elements.

It became the first private sector development in the country to be awarded the MSC Cybercentre status, and remains the only urban centre in Shah Alam to-date. i-City was also among the first connected communities in the South East Asian region a decade ago to provide fibre connectivity and high speed broadband to the home when dial-ups were still the standard bearers.

This visionary intelligent city has transformed into a tentpole of luxurious development. Among the outstanding properties that have emerged is the Hill10 Residence, an upscale smart residential development with its 200 Internet of Things (IoT)-ready homes offering quality hotel living.

In December 2014, I-Bhd signed an agreement with Hilton Worldwide to develop the DoubleTree by Hilton in i-City as part of the township’s RM9bil master plan.

The hotel commands 300 elegant rooms and has a gross development value (GDV) of RM250mil.

In a recent interview, Hilton Worldwide vice-president of operations for South-East Asia and India William Costley was quoted as saying that the hotel chain’s position is to choose the right brand at the right location.

He said the location of DoubleTree by Hilton need not be in the heart of a city because Hilton’s brands were suited to fit different target audiences in various locations.

As in the case of DoubleTree by Hilton in i-City, the hotel can be at a strategic location in Shah Alam, yet the guests will be able to enjoy the same quality service of Hilton.

Occupying the same tower block and above DoubleTree by Hilton is the Hill10 Residence. Both hotel and the residences share a double-volume entrance driveway on the ground floor. Coupled with Hill10′s own cantilever rooftop infinity pool at level 43, there are just some of the many world-class facilities on offer.

DoubleTree by Hilton will occupy the ground floor to Level 22, while the Hill10 Residence will occupy the upper floors from Level 22 Mezzanine to Level 43.

Extending the prestige of Hilton Worldwide, Hill10 Residence will be fully fitted and furnished with interior design concepts similar to the hotel rooms. The stylish suites will be complemented by modern conveniences, making them the ultimate dream homes for those who enjoy a lifestyle of luxury.

Despite its elegant design and prestigious pedigree, Hill10 suites are priced from RM500,000 each, making it a steal considering buyers and investors will be able to acquire a home that is crafted to match the opulent lifestyle that can only be found in a worldwide hotel chain.

Residents of Hill10 suites will be able to come home to attentive room and housekeeping service as well as a 24- hour coffee house.

After being greeted by the double-volume driveway, residents can unwind and relax at the cantilevered rooftop infinity pool, the landscaped gardens, a recreation zone, a gym and other world-class facilities that complete the dream of owning a home on top of the world.

Upon entering the room, residents may not be able to stop themselves from jumping on the bed as children do in a hotel room. Don’t worry about messing up the bed – Hill10 promises round-the-clock services and top-notch living experience.

Similarly, those looking for a place to relax or work in the middle of the night can head for the 24-hour coffee house.

Residents need not have to worry about cleaning the house. Their living space will be neat and tidy when they return from their activities.

Simply put, Hill10′s residents own “the luxury, the world and the moment”. The exclusive suites come at an enviable price for those who desire the concept of holiday living.

One of the defining features of Hill10 Residence will be the application of IoT.

DoubleTree by Hilton and subsequently Hill10 Residence will be equipped with state-of-the-art technology, such as a guestroom management system with efficient and centrally-managed energy consumption and room services. This system will promote environment sustainability while enhancing the living experience.

At the hotel, rooms will be precooled once a guest checks in at the concierge. Upon entering the room, the guest will discover more user-friendly intelligent features.

At Hill10 Residence, some of the home-sharing features are to be found in its basic structural layouts.

The development offers Standard, Deluxe and Executive suites, with built-ups of one bedroom, one study room and one bath, as well as two bedroom and two baths. This not only caters to the demands of modern life but also enables investors to rent out the rooms with little hassle.

For those interested in owning a luxurious suite to let, directly or through home-sharing services, they can assure their tenants of privacy. Each floor has only 11 suites which are serviced by four lifts.
With the establishment of the three worldwide brands in the likes of Hilton Worldwide, the Central Group of Thailand and the currently-operating Best Western Hotel,
coupled with the unveiling of Hill10 Residence, i-City’s stature as a beacon of leading-edge developments in the vicinity of Greater Kuala Lumpur shines ever brighter.

The Hill10 Residence and DoubleTree by Hilton tower block is expected to be completed in 2020.


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