Tune Hotels to invest RM2-3m on green technology per hotel

KUALA LUMPUR: Tune Hotels said it will be investing about RM2 million to RM3 million on green technology for each of its
hotel in the next two to three years. Its Group Chief Executive Officer Mark Lankester said the move is expected
to help the company reduce 30 to 40 per cent of its existing operating cost for the next three to four years.

He said this to reporters following the signing of a Memorandum of Collaboration with General Electric (GE) for sustainable development, here on Sept 9.

"As we drive down our costs through investment in such technology, we also can provide better rates to our guests," said Lankester. He added that the investment in green technology would cover building management system, lighting, heat recovery and wiring in all of its hotels.

Lankaster said the hotel chain would be also opening 30 new hotels next year in Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, United Kingdom, Australia and India. Each hotel would have an investment cost of US$6 million to US$8 million.

"We are also targeting about 100 new hotels in those countries by 2015 or 2016," said Lankester. Tune Hotels would also be unveiling its first hotel in Australia in 2013. It will be located in Melbourne.

Lankester said discussions were also being held in other parts of Europe and Latin America for the company's expansion plan there. "For Europe, we have just signed a deal to open a hotel in Vienna in 2013.

"As for Latin America, we are now looking at Brazil namely Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, an exciting market ahead of two major sports events there," said Lankester.Brazil is set to host the FIFA World Cup and Olympics Games in 2014 and 2018 respectively. - Bernama