Aman comes to Malaysia
By James Arean l eTN Asia
After a long-drawn, it's on-it's off saga, Malaysia's southern Johor state finally showed that it's serious about developing a tourism hub, pulling in the likes of Aman Resorts and AirAsia's Tune Hotels.
The hotels would be part of the South Johor Economic Region which the government hopes would one day rival the hubs of Dubai, Shenzen or Bangalore.
Government investment wing Khazanah Nasional said the plan is to attract about US$105 billion over 20 years. Managing director Azman Mokhtar told the media he has received indications of interest worth US$2.85 billion from the Middle East and the Asia-Pacific region.
Aman is expected to complete a resort in Johor within the next two years. Tune Hotels, partly owned by AirAsia boss Tony Fernandes, is set to open its doors early next year and is planning to offer packages with AirAsia.
The 2,217 square kilometer development would include business, leisure and manufacturing facilities, as well as an Islamic financial hub and educational institutions.
Two theme parks will also be built, said Azman, but it will not include Universal Studios, which is building a park in neighboring Singapore.
February 28, 2007
Posted in: Malaysia