Destination Resorts and Hotels Unveils Its Multi Billion Dollar Development

(From left – First Row): En. Mohd Nadziruddin Mohd Basri, Managing Director of Destination Resorts and Hotels (DRH) and YBhg Dato’ Sri Abdul Wahid Omar, President and Chief Executive Officer of Malayan Banking Berhad during the Maybank loan financing signing ceremony between Malayan Banking Berhad, Maybank Investment Bank Berhad and Desaru Development Holdings One Sdn. Bhd. (DH1). (From left – Second Row): En. Muhd Firdaus Azharuddin, CEO of DH1; Yang Berbahagia Dato’ Ahmad Pardas Senin, Chairman of Desaru Development Corporation Sdn. Bhd. (DDC) and DH1; Yang Berbahagia Tan Sri Amirsham Abdul Aziz, Chairman of DRH; and Mr. John Chong Eng Chuan, Managing Director of Client Coverage for Maybank Investment Bank Berhad was also present to witness the momentous occasion.

November 3, 2012

Destination Resorts and Hotels Unveils Its Multi Billion Dollar Development

(From left – First Row): En. Mohd Nadziruddin Mohd Basri, Managing Director of Destination Resorts and Hotels (DRH) and YBhg Dato’ Sri Abdul Wahid Omar, President and Chief Executive Officer of Malayan Banking Berhad during the Maybank loan financing signing ceremony between Malayan Banking Berhad, Maybank Investment Bank Berhad and Desaru Development Holdings One Sdn. Bhd. (DH1).
(From left – Second Row): En. Muhd Firdaus Azharuddin, CEO of DH1; Yang Berbahagia Dato’ Ahmad Pardas Senin, Chairman of Desaru Development Corporation Sdn. Bhd. (DDC) and DH1; Yang Berbahagia Tan Sri Amirsham Abdul Aziz, Chairman of DRH; and Mr. John Chong Eng Chuan, Managing Director of Client Coverage for Maybank Investment Bank Berhad was also present to witness the momentous occasion.

Kuala Lumpur, 1 November 2012 – Set to be the game-changer to the luxury travel industry within the region, Destination Resorts and Hotels (DRH) today announced the unveiling of one of its premier destinations, Desaru Coast. Established in 2011 by Khazanah Nasional Berhad, DRH is formed to be a catalyst of premier and integrated destination resorts in Malaysia, focusing in the luxury travel market. It will undertake large-scale tourism developments that will spur the economy and further elevate Malaysia in the global leisure and tourism industry.

En. Nadziruddin Basri, Managing Director of DRHin today’s event said, “DRH is tasked to support the growth of the tourism industry, especially in the luxury tourism segment. Each destination under DRH is designed to offer a complete suite of tourism products and attractions, integrated seamlessly and supported with proper infrastructure and connectivity, and beyond that, are of world-class premier standards”. He added that these destinations resorts will set new standards in the industry with the objective to boost tourist arrivals, extend the length of stay to eventually increase the tourist receipts. DRH’s catalytic role goes beyond enriching the tourism landscape of Malaysia, as these developments will further stimulate various developments in the surrounding area, creating employment, business opportunities and building a local pool of hospitality talents and professionals within the tourism industry.During the exclusive media-only briefing today, En. Firdaus Azharuddin, CEO of Desaru Development Holdings One Sdn Bhd (DH1) unveiled Desaru Coast – the region’s 1st integrated luxury destination that demonstrates the distinctiveness of DRH’s investments. Established to develop Desaru Coast Phase 1, DH1 is the operational vehicle of Desaru Development Corporation Sdn Bhd (DDC), a joint venture between Stulang Ventures Sdn Bhd and Permodalan Darul Ta’zim with a shareholding of 70:30 respectively. DRH has a 70% shareholding in Stulang Ventures Sdn Bhd with the remaining 30% owned by Bagan Cerah Sdn Bhd.

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“We’re proud to have our equity partners who see the huge potential Desaru has to offer and shares the same vision to develop Desaru Coast to enrich Malaysia’s luxury tourism industry, and are honoured to be working with Malayan Banking Berhad and Maybank Investment Bank Berhad as our financing partners,” adds Nadziruddin. The briefing today witnessed the signing of the financing loan of RM600 million that solidifies the development of Desaru Coast, represented by YBhg Dato’ Sri Abdul Wahid Omar, President and Chief Executive Officer of Malayan Banking Berhad and Mr. John Chong Eng Chuan, Managing Director of Client Coverage for Maybank Investment Bank Berhad.

(From left): En. Mohd Nadziruddin Mohd Basri, Managing Director of Destination Resorts and Hotels Sdn. Bhd. (DRH); Yang Berbahagia Dato’ Ahmad Pardas Senin, Chairman of Desaru Development Corporation Sdn. Bhd. (DDC) and Desaru Development Holdings One Sdn. Bhd. (DH1); Yang Berbahagia Tan Sri Amirsham Abdul Aziz, Chairman of DRH; and YBhg Dato’ Sri Abdul Wahid Omar, President and Chief Executive Officer of Malayan Banking Berhad during the signing of the Maybank financing loan of RM600 million, which solidifies the development of Desaru Coast Phase 1.

(From left): Yang Amat Mulia Tunku Dato’ Ahmad Burhanuddin, Managing Director and CEO of Themed Attractions and Resorts Sdn. Bhd.; En. Mohd Nadziruddin Mohd Basri, Managing Director of Destination Resorts and Hotels Sdn. Bhd. (DRH); and En. Muhd Firdaus Azharuddin, CEO of Desaru Development Holdings One Sdn. Bhd. (DH1) after the unveiling of Desaru Coast – the region’s first integrated luxury destination.

“Desaru Coast is a unique integrated luxury destination resort that offers a complete suite of premium resorts, engaging activities and lifestyle attractions, suited for the whole family, be it for leisure or business. The collection of reputable and well established brand partners demonstrates their confidence in us and the projects, to re-create their offering of distinction here at Desaru Coast,” adds Firdaus as he unveils the projects that will be launched in Desaru Coast Phase 1. Spanning over 3,900 acres along a pristine 17-kilometer beachfront, Desaru Coast is strategically located on the east coast of Johor and offers ease of connectivitiy to neighbouring Singapore and Indonesia via land, air or sea. The multi-billion dollar destination is developed in a three-phase plan, with Phase 1 in progress and is expected to complete in 2015.

Desaru Coast Phase 1 will feature 4 premium resorts to include the luxurious Aman Country Club and Aman Villas, Datai Desaru – the extension of the award-winning Datai Langkawi, Sheraton Resort and Plantation Hotel. At the hub of Desaru Coast is the retail, F&B and entertainment waterfront lifestyle village, Riverwalk, which is seamlessly integrated with two immersive water theme parks in partnership with Themed Attractions and Resorts Sdn. Bhd., Ocean Quest and Ocean Splash, and a convention centre, fully equipped to host MICE and social events.

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The Riverwalk will also house a Hospitality, Tourism & Culinary School, aimed to cultivate and groom local talents into hospitality profesionals. Golf enthusiasts will be thrilled with two championship golf courses, a 27-hole course designed by Ernie Els and a 18-hole course designed by Vijay Singh. Both courses will boast full golf club facilities of international standards and Els Residences, managed by Troon Golf, a renowned golf management company with a proven track record around the world. To further enrich the golf haven experience, prime golf residences developed by UEM Land Holdings Bhd, will offer a 360o degree view of the stunningly manicured golf courses. Beyond that, Desaru Coast will boast a revilatised and refreshed public beachfront that will encourage patronage of both locals and tourists alike.

(From left): En. Muhd Firdaus Azharuddin, CEO of Desaru Development Holdings One Sdn. Bhd. (DH1) and En. Mohd Nadziruddin Mohd Basri, Managing Director of Destination Resorts and Hotels Sdn. Bhd. (DRH), after the unveiling of Desaru Coast, the region’s 1st integrated luxury destination. Desaru Coast Phase 1 will feature premier resorts and hotels, prime residences, unique leisure and entertainment attractions, a hospitality, tourism and culinary school, two championship golf courses, a convention centre, a revitalized public beachfront and other world-class tourism offerings once it is completed in 2015.

Desaru Coast is expected to attract one million visitors per annum, and to create over 3,500 employment within the first 5 years. Development and growth of skilled talents in the hotel and hospitality industry are expected to flourish especially in the luxury travel segment. Desaru Coast will not only complement the other developments in Johor, but also further stimulate various developments of trade and homegrown businesses, new townships, further expansion of infrastructure and economy growth of Johor and Malaysia.

DRH’s other investments include the premier eco-tourism destination Teluk Datai in Langkawi, boasting the highly desirable luxury resort, The Datai Langkawi, that was awarded the “Best Luxury Island Resort” in the recent 2012 World Luxury Hotel Awards. The award-winning 18-hole Golf Club, Datai Bay is currently being upgraded into a designer course, also designed by Ernie Els. In Nusajaya, DRH’s investment comprise of the development of the integrated luxury waterfront marina at Puteri Harbour, a host of retail, F&B and entertainment outlets, integrated with The Traders Hotel and the Puteri Harbour Family Theme Park. In addition, the LEGOLAND Hotel Malaysia located adjacent to the LEGOLAND Malaysia is currently under construction and will open its doors in 2014.