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Pacific Regency eyeing more hotels, resorts [Business Times (Malaysia)](Business Times (Malaysia) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) KUALA LUMPUR: PACIFIC Regency Hotel Group (PRHG) will invest in five-star and four-star express hotels and resorts in order to be a competitive hotel operator in the local market. PRHG general manager Jaya Kumar is upbeat on growth in the tourism industry, in view of the government's target of 36 million tourist arrivals and RM168 billion in tourist receipts by 2020. This is as outlined under the Malaysia Tourism Transformation Plan 2020, which is part of the National Key Economic Areas. For Visit Malaysia Year 2014, the government is targeting 28 million tourist arrivals and RM76 billion tourist receipts. According to Jaya Kumar, PRHG will add three new hotels to its portfolio by the end of 2016. "PRHG will not forego any segment in the hotel business. We will have more hotels coming up in 2017 and onwards," he said, here, recently. Currently, the group operates two properties in Kuala Lumpur, namely the five-star Pacific Regency Hotel Suites and four-star Pacific Express Hotel. Pacific Regency Hotel, which was set up in 2008, currently enjoys a 75 per cent occupancy rate and has an average room rate of RM280. The 207-room Pacific Express Hotel, located near the Central Market, here, opened last month. Its room rates start from RM135 a night. Jaya Kumar said PRHG will venture into hotel management services to diversify its earnings. The group aims to manage five properties over the next five years, he added. "We want to grow steadily, despite the current market conditions. "We are optimistic of every opportunity that comes by. We are open to proposals on hotel operations. "We will train our talents to meet international standards in managing properties. Along with that, we will focus on keeping the guests in mind," said Jaya Kumar. He is bullish on Pacific Express Hotel, which is competing with other four-star hotels within a 5km radius. "We are very dependent on the Internet platform and 'viral' marketing strategy to promote the hotel in Asia, including in China, Japan and South Korea," he said. (c) 2014 The New Straits Times Press (Malaysia) Berhad. All rights reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info). |