The Propertizer

THE Penang tourism market is now enjoying a boost due to growing arrivals from the Asian market.

Malaysian Association of Hotels (Penang) chairman Marco Battistotti said in an interview that the European market was still there, but the arrivals from ASEAN or Asian countries were now more than before.

“Another strong market is the US, which comprises many corporate visitors,” he said.

From January to September 2011, according to immigration data compiled by Penang Global Tourism Sdn Bhd, arrivals from Indonesia, Singapore, China, and Thailand registered at 176,222, 79,895, 37,203, and 12,823 respectively.

This is compared to arrivals from the UK, Western Europe and Scandinavia of 13,396, 11,534 and 2,787 respectively.

Approved project: An artist's impression of the NT Industrial Park hotel, showing the view from Gat Lebuh Gereja and Weld Quay

So far this year, there have been 17,208 arrivals from the US.

“The average occupancy rate this year should hit around 66%, compared to about 60% last year,” Battistotti said.

“There are presently 250 hotels in Penang, providing some 13,500 rooms,” he added.

Penang Municipal Council technical review panel committee member Datuk Richard Jong said the 1.4ha site surrounded by Lebuh Pantai, Gat Lebuh Gereja, Weld Quay, and Gat Lebuh China was the largest precinct in inner George Town approved for hotel and commercial development projects.

The latest hotel project that the local authorities approved in September was the NT Industrial Park project, which sits on a 0.40ha site with a gross development value of over RM100mil.

The project involves the development of a five-star five-storey hotel with 85 rooms, designed to look like an early 20th century port office and warehouse building.

Battistotti: The average occupancy rate this year should hit 66%.

“Two heritage buildings formerly used as offices on the site will be preserved for adaptive commercial use to accommodate restaurants and boutiques.

“The hotel, yet to be named, will be ready for operations in late 2013,” Jong said.

The other hotel-cum-commercial development project that is being developed at the 1.4ha site belongs to Asian Global Business (AGB).

AGB chief executive officer Dr Noraini Abdullah said piling work was currently being done for the RM285mil Rice Miller Hotel & Residences.

The project comprises a 48-suite hotel, retail space with 17,000sq ft of area for leasing, two five-storey office blocks, and 99 units of city residences.

Ready by 2013: This artist's drawing shows the Rice Miller Hotel & Residences project facing the Tanjung City Marina at Weld Quay

“The piling work for the hotel is completed and we are now doing the piling for the residences,” she said.

“The project will also accommodate clubhouse facilities such as a swimming pool and a gymnasium, and five Asian and Western restaurants.

“The entire project is scheduled for completion in June 2013,” she said.

Other hotel projects coming up in George Town include IGB Corporation Berhad’s St Giles.

The Cititel Express Hotel on Jalan Magazine is scheduled to be completed in 2014 while the Victory Annexe, the new wing of Eastern & Oriental Hotel on Lebuh Farquahar will be ready end of 2012.

The One Mansion (formerly Northam Tower) on Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah, is currently being upgraded into a hotel.

It is scheduled for completion in 2013.

(Taken In Star Newpaper)