Khazanah unit partners Thai firm to develop Anantara resort here

KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 11): Destination Resorts & Hotels Sdn Bhd (DRH), the leisure and tourism investment army of Khazanah Nasional Bhd, has entered into a collaboration with Thai hotel group Minor Hotel Group Ltd (MHG) to develop an Anantara resort in Malaysia.

Under the collaboration agreement, both parties will identify a suitable location to co-develop the luxury resort and residences under the Anantara brand, according to a joint statement by MHG and DRH today.

MHG and DRH said they will make further announcement, outlining additional information on the development during the year.

“DRH’s strategic intent is to further strengthen Malaysia’s hospitality value positioning. The collaboration, coupled with Anantara’s management experience and renowned reputation, clearly deepens our breadth in the luxury destination segment," DRH group managing director Tunku Ahmad Burhanuddin said in the statement.

"Our shared vision will serve the right trajectory that will appeal to sophisticated global tourists,” he added.

Minor International Pcl chairman and CEO William E. Heinecke said it will be the group's first hotel investment in Malaysia.

"We look forward to working with DRH for many years to come, on potential investments in Malaysia. We believe there is a vast potential for growth in the tourism sector, in this beautiful country,” he said.
 
“Following our first hotel management project in Malaysia undertaken in 2013, now operating as AVANI Sepang Goldcoast Resort, we are proud to announce our first investment plan in the country, under our core luxury Anantara brand," said Minor International group chief operating officer and Minor Hotel Group CEO Dillip Rajakarier.

"We intend to have this resort become the showcase of the best that Anantara and Malaysia have to offer," added Dillip.

MHG is a hotel owner, operator and investor, with a portfolio of 126 hotels, resorts and serviced suites in operation under the Anantara, AVANI, Per AQUUM, Oaks, Elewana, Marriott, Tivoli, Four Seasons, St. Regis, Radisson Blu and Minor International brands.