Darrell Metzger spoke to TravelDailyNews about Desaru Coast, the new luxury resort in Malaysia, the strategic and development partners of DRH and the markets which DRH targets.
TravelDailyNews : Destination Resorts and Hotels will open soon Desaru Coast, a new luxury destination resort in Malaysia. Could you please give us an idea of this innovative project?
Darrell Metzger : Desaru Coast is Malaysia’s first luxury destination resort that presents a seamless integration of modern luxury living and fun activities, making it an ideal holiday retreat for leisure and business travellers. Located at the southeastern tip of Johor and spanning over 3,900 acres along a pristine 17km beachfront facing the South China Sea, Desaru Coast is easily accessible via road, air and sea. Desaru Coast brings together world-class resorts, two aquatic theme parks, championship–standard golf courses, a convention centre, a hospitality school and a beautiful waterfront retail village.
Desaru Coast is developed by Destination Resorts and Hotels and will be completed in three phases, with the first phase targeted for completion by 2016. The premier integrated destination promises an array of luxury resorts such as Aman Country Club and Aman Villas, Sheraton Desaru Resort, Datai Desaru, and Anak Datai Hotel, which will be complemented with differentiated leisure and entertainment offerings. Desaru Coast also offers a beautiful lifestyle village called The Riverwalk, with a variety of eateries, retail and entertainment outlets.
Desaru Coast will have a fully equipped convention centre catering to both leisure and corporate events such as corporate functions, meetings, exhibitions and entertainment events. In addition, it will be home to two water-based theme parks, Ocean Quest and Ocean Splash. The development will also offer two golf courses under The Els Club Malaysia: a 27-hole championship golf course designed by Ernie Els and an 18-hole course designed by Vijay Singh, both complete with opulent clubhouses. Prime golf residences will be developed surrounding the golf courses, offering 360 views across the greens.
TDN : Which are your strategic and development partners and how will they help you in attracting tourists?
Darrell Metzger : Destination Resorts and Hotels (DRH) is an owner and developer of world-class premier destinations. Established in 2010 by Khazanah Nasional Berhad, we have the clear wisdom to transform Malaysia’s tourism landscape by delivering commercially sustainable resort destinations fulfilling the needs and desires of the discerning global traveller.
To ensure the success of all developments in attracting tourists, DRH works with well-established, renowned partners with proven track records in their respective businesses.
Development Partners:
• Themed Attractions and Resorts Sdn Bhd – A company set to ignite a whole new level of attractions and family theme park fun, Themed Attractions and Resorts develop, manage and operate theme parks and attractions in Malaysia such as LEGOLAND, Sanrio Hello Kitty Town, HiT Entertainment The Little Big Club and KidZania. Themed Attractions and Resorts also creates world-class, home-grown themed attractions such as LAT’s Place, a themed dining experience based on the popular Kampung Boy character by famous local cartoonist LAT. In Singapore, Themed Attractions and Resorts will develop and operate KidZania, an indoor family edutainment centre.
• UEM Sunrise – One of the best in resort residential development with a proven string of success in developing quality homes for a luxurious lifestyle.
Partners for Resorts, Hotels and Residences:
• Amanresorts International Pte Ltd – The people behind the ultra-exclusive Aman properties, a highly distinguished and recognised resort brand that promises an intimate and exclusive experience while providing the highest level of service. With over 17 resorts around the world, each resort and its setting is uniquely designed, but certain elements characterise all of them; beautiful natural location, outstanding facilities, exceptional service and a small number of rooms to ensure exclusivity and privacy.
• Archipelago Hotel and Resorts Sdn Bhd (AHRSB) – The hotel management behind The Datai Langkawi, awarded as the 2012 World’s Best Luxury Island Resort by the World Luxury Hotel Awards in the global category and the only recipient from Malaysia.
• Starwood Resorts and Hotels – Acclaimed resorts and hotels operator renowned for its extensive collection of luxurious brands such as Sheraton, Westin, St Regis, W Hotels and Le Meridien.
Partners for Golf:
• Ernie Els Design – A full-service golf course design company wholly owned by four-time major golf champion and World Golf Hall of Fame inductee Ernie Els. Having won prestigious awards, Ernie Els Design has created many golf courses of distinction around the world.
• Troon Golf – A renowned golf management company that looks after some of the most luxurious golf courses in more than 25 countries.
TDN : What is the profile of the traveller that will come to Desaru Coast?
Darrell Metzger : Our travellers will be made up of families with high disposable incomes, business travellers and golfer tourists. Families will be attracted by the abundant and unique attractions afforded to them. The Riverwalk, a waterfront landscape retail and lifestyle village will integrate two experiential theme parks and host signature retail and dining outlets and entertainment venues ideal for whole family enjoyment. Whilst a revitalized and refreshed public beachfront will encourage patronage of both locals and tourists.
Domestic and short-haul business travellers will take advantage of the Sheraton Desaru Resort with its integrated convention centre accommodating up to 1,000 delegates.
Meanwhile, golf enthusiasts from Asia and much further afield will be attracted to the new golf landscape in Malaysia. The introduction of one the most prestigious golf clubs in the world, Els Club Malaysia, managed by international golf management company, Troon will attract golf aficionados worldwide, while the golf residences will provide a haven for golfers
looking to invest in Malaysia’s foremost development.
TDN : What markets do you target?
Darrell Metzger : The short-haul Asian market and long-haul European travellers are our primary targets. Our proximity to Singapore – just a one hour and thirty minute transfer across the Johor strait to Desaru Coast – will ensure a steady stream of Singaporean visitors, as well as international visitors flying into Singapore and exploring the region. Indonesia, Thailand and China are also key markets within Asia.
Further afield in Europe we target families and couples with higher disposable incomes who are curious and looking for new places to travel. Our efforts are focused on Germany, UK and Scandinavia at present as statistics have shown us it is within these markets that tourists are ready to travel further afield for new experiences. The Middle East is also a key market for us thanks to ease of travel to Malaysia and their desire for the degree of standards of leisure and hospitality renowned in the Middle East.
Vicky is the co-founder of TravelDailyNews Media Network where she is the Editor-in Chief. She is also responsible for the daily operation and the financial policy. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Tourism Business Administration from the Technical University of Athens and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Wales. She has many years of both academic and industrial experience within the travel industry. She has written/edited numerous articles in various tourism magazines.
