TO add to its list of achievements by Berjaya Hotels & Resorts over the years, the company is starting the year with even bigger visions and plans for welcoming visitors to Berjaya properties in conjunction with Visit Malaysia Year (VMY) 2007. The group is working closely with Tourism Malaysia and various travelling agencies to promote VMY 2007, during which about 20 million tourists from all over the world are expected to visit Malaysia. With the expected influx of visitors this year, Berjaya Hotel & Resorts finance and marketing senior general manager Foo Toon Kee said, the group which had an occupancy rate of 60% for the financial year closing 2006, is expecting double digit growth this year.

“We expect an increase of 10 to 20% for VMY 2007 from our existing major markets, including from Southeast Asia (45%), East Asia (9%), Middle East (10%), Australia (6%) and Europe (30%),” he added.

Accommodating to the increased number of tourists, the group has improved on overall aesthetics, upgraded the capabilities of associates and created product differentiation.

Its four main properties – the fivestar Berjaya Langkawi Beach & Spa Resort, Berjaya Redang Beach Resort, Berjaya Tioman Beach, Golf & Spa Resort and Berjaya Hills (formerly known as Bukit Tinggi Resort) have had their facilities upgraded.

The recent expansion and refurbishment of the Berjaya Langkawi Beach & Spa Resort cost RM28 million. Ten Junior Chalets were upgraded while 23 new units of Premier Chalets on Water and a Thai exclusive restaurant were recently built on stilts facing the sea.

WiFi internet facilities were also installed in public areas, the ballroom and eight other meeting rooms. With these additional features, the hotel boasts the biggest ballroom and the most conference facilities in Langkawi.

Berjaya Redang Beach Resort is meanwhile undergoing upgrading at a cost of RM35 million. Its existing 12 deluxe seaview chalets will be converted into six units of seaview suites, while 130 rooms are being added, to give the resort 266 rooms in total. Work is expected to be completed in April.

Refurbishment is also being carried out at Berjaya Tioman Beach, Golf & Spa Resort on specific rooms and suites.

Meanwhile, the group’s latest addition, Berjaya Hills, located 45 minutes away from KL, is promising to provide a great vacation escapade.

To boost its French themed boutique spa hotel, the Chateau Spa Resort will be modelled after an 18th century medieval castle.“The key feature would be the spa treatments, French fine-dining restaurant, four multi-purpose function rooms and a pillar-less conventional hall that can accommodate 1,000 guests with six breakup rooms. Total investment for this getaway was RM20 million,” Foo said.

“We have also revamped our website to upgrade its user-friendly features for the benefit of consumers and travel trade members. Dynamic pricing strategies have been employed in the Ebusiness division to increase bookings and implement revenue management.

This encourages customers to obtain the best rates by booking early, while capitalising on revenues during low seasons,” Foo said.

“An estimated 5% - 8% of the total revenue is allocated for our advertising and promotional efforts, which includes a new advertising campaign, media relations and event management,” he said

Meanwhile, Berjaya Hotels & Resorts vicepresident (sales and marketing) Lynn Oh, said the company’s strength is in having various properties under its wing, as it consolidates Berjaya’s position as a household brand for Malaysia.

“Working with Berjaya Air, we have designed special packages for overseas customers. There is the 5D/4N Berjaya Special, targeted for the regional market while the 8D/7N

Berjaya Exclusive is targeted for the long-haul market.

“Customers have a choice to mix and match various destinations within a package via flying with Berjaya Air to the KL hub. This package is also available in Singapore,” she added.