Thursday, June 27, 2019

Game changer for tourism industry




The grand entrance at Monopoly Mansion.
DATUK Seth Yap, the chief executive officer of M101 Holdings Sdn Bhd and a lawyer by profession, is a brilliant brand builder.

He does things that create headlines as game changers for the tourism industry.



 
M101, which he founded in 2012, has partnered luxury brands such as Studio F.A. Porsche and Hasbro Inc, an American worldwide toy and board game company, for horizontal brand penetration.

The company is bringing to Malaysia the world’s first integrated development with a Ferris wheel designed by Studio F.A. Porsche, the world’s first Monopoly-themed hotel known as Monopoly Mansion (under a licensing agreement with Hasbro), and Asia’s first Planet Hollywood Hotel.

There is no stopping for Yap as he is planning to bring in more international brands and help take Malaysia’s tourism industry to greater heights.

There are opportunities in the current challenging market environment, said Yap.

He cited the stake that M101 acquired in loss-making public-listed company Meda Inc Bhd last year which is set to provide his company a golden opportunity to build an international tourism destination in Melaka.



 
Meda has since been renamed Meridian Bhd.

With its record-proven property tourism strategy, M101, which ranks among the most dynamic development companies in Malaysia, is revamping Meridian.

Yap said he bought a stake in Meridian because the company owned about 252ha of land in Kuala Linggi, Melaka.

Meridian will develop Malaysian Tourism City (MTC), which will comprise Hasbro-themed water park, thematic hotels, adventure and eco-tourism parks, hospital and University College, as well as bungalow lots.


Datuk Seth Yap
MR MONOPOLY

If you are a big fan of Monopoly and have enjoyed the game since young, you will be glad to know that the world’s first Monopoly Mansion will open in Kuala Lumpur this December.

The five-star boutique hotel is housed in M101 Bukit Bintang, a mixed development with a gross
development value (GDV) of RM365 million on Jalan Baba.



 
Yap said the hotel occupies 14 floors and each features one of 14 different countries and their famous wonders.

“It is like walking down memory lane in Mr Monopoly’s shoes,” said Yap, adding that the company is waiting for the issuance of the Certificate of Completion and Compliance (CCC).

He said the hotel reflects the home of Mr Monopoly, the iconic self-made businessman who loves to
travel and explore the various anatomy of life.

“Thus, this hotel is designed for guests to experience the fabulous life and style of Mr Monopoly.”

The hotel features a design concept inspired by “The Great Gatsby” and the magnificent Roaring 1920s.

Monopoly Mansion has 310 illustrious rooms, a rooftop pool and sky lounge with stunning views of the Kuala Lumpur city.

Yap said the average room rate would start from RM300 a night and the hotel would target corporates and families.

Monopoly Mansion will be managed by Sirocco Hospitality Group, the hospitality arm of M101.



 
Sirocco Hospitality Group will also be managing Planet Hollywood Hotel upon completion of M101 SkyWheel, M101’s third and flagship development designed by Studio F.A. Porsche.

The first project to be completed by the company is M101 Dang Wangi, a freehold commercial, retail and serviced suites development on Jalan Kamunting.

The project has been fully sold and generated RM130 million in GDV for the company.

It is currently operating as Red by Sirocco.


Monopoly Mansion is targeted to open in early 2020.
OPPORTUNITIES IN A VERSATILE MARKET

On the property market outlook this year, Yap thinks it will continue to be challenging given the worries over slowing economic growth stemming from domestic and external factors as well as the persistent overhang of residential properties priced from RM1 million.

“(However) there is opportunity in a soft market. When you have the right product, in the right location and with the right brand and partners, the current soft market shouldn’t deter your plan to grow. It is how you manage the situation.”

M101 is building an integrated metropolitan and this means centralising various city conveniences, which it plans to achieve via destination retail.

The method combines properties, such as hotels, commercial units, retail outlets, entertainment features, parks and food and beverage offerings, to promote consumers’ prolonged interaction with each feature, diversifying consumption and increasing consumer spend.

Yap believes that by highlighting Kuala Lumpur’s vibrancy through its local distinctiveness combined with modern architectures, retail attractions, and commercial potential, the city will become a magnet for travellers and investors.

“We are promoting Malaysia as an international tourist destination and championing property tourism,” he said.


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