BEST WESTERN MELAKA WANA RIVERSIDE OFFICIALLY OPENS

Malacca gets a Best Western hotel

Published: 2012/12/08

MALACCA: Best Western International (BWI), which is touted as the world's largest hotel chain with over 4,195 hotels in more than 100 countries, has made its mark in the historical city of Malacca with the official launch of the Best Western Wana Riverside Hotel.

Located next to the scenic Malacca River, in the heart of the Unesco World Heritage Site, the hotel offers up to 170 rooms, suitable for both business travellers and families with rooms ranging from superior, deluxe, grand deluxe, studio and executive.

Naresh Mohan, who is managing director of Trinidad Hospitality Sdn Bhd, BWI's area development office in Malaysia, said with the inclusion of the Best Western Wana Riverside Hotel, the chain now has five hotels in Malaysia.

"Besides Malacca, we have two Best Western hotels in Sabah and one in Perak, as well as a Best Western Premier in Kuala Lumpur.

"By 2015, we plan to expand the brand to 20 properties in Malaysia," he said.

Mohan said BWI offers three tiers of hotels: midscale Best Western, upscale Best Western Plus and its luxury Best Western Premier hotels to cater to various classes of travellers and their needs.

"In 2014, we expect to complete a Best Western Premier in Ayer Keroh, near the Malacca International Trade Centre.

"Not only will it have a five-star hotel, there will be offices and residences as well as a wide range of facilities," he said at the launch, here, on Thursday.

Also present were Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam and Wana Properties Sdn Bhd chairman Datuk Wan Mohd Najib Wan Mohamad.

Mohd Ali, in his speech during the launch ceremony, said he was impressed with what had been done with the hotel since it was taken over by the new management.

"The building was in disrepair after it had been abandoned by its previous management, but after it was bought over by Trinidad Hospitality and Wana Properties for RM37 million in 2010, I am glad to see that there have been many improvements made," he said.

Mohd Ali said while the hotel was operating smoothly, he was told that there was a problem with parking for its guests due to a lack of parking facilities in the area.

"The management has suggested to the state government that nearby non-historical, abandoned buildings be converted into multi-level parking lots, which we will take into consideration, as indeed, parking has become an issue which we must quickly address," he said.

Read more: Malacca gets a Best Western hotel http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/bwis/Article/#ixzz2EXQSFvVE

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR 2013

As 2012 draws to a close in 3 weeks' time, we want to wish everyone of Christian faith "A Very Merry Christmas" and to everyone " A Very Happy New Year 2013 ". Hopefully, 2013 will be a good year in our undertakings, health and happiness.

Enjoy your year end holidays and festivities. Do not drive if you drink and drive carefully.

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR

HAPPY DEEPAVALI 2012

To all Hindus around the world, we wish to extend our "Happy Deepavali" greetings. May the festival of lights help us in overcoming our shortcomings. Let us celebrate and bathe in the Lights of Deepavali.

HAPPY DEEPAVALI

www.tourism-melaka.com

TOURISM MELAKA INVITED TO ATTEND MELAKA OFFICIAL DINNER

We have been invited to attend an official dinner to be hosted by the Governor of Melaka on this Friday night.

On Saturday morning, we will be visiting some new tourist products for Melaka viz.Taman Seribu Bunga, Macau Gallery, the Jonker Bird house, Coral Wonderland etc. which should be interesting for visitors to Melaka.

Certainly Tourism Melaka is looking forward to this dinner and exciting new tourism products for Melaka. We will feature them after our visit.

PRICES AND RENTALS OF HERITAGE SHOPHOUSES RISE IN MELAKA

9th. October 2012

Since the announcement of Malacca and Georgetown as World Heritage Cities in 2008, both cities have seen a rise of local and foreign tourists arrivals. Melaka has seen tourists arrival increase from 8 million in 2008 to about an estimate of 13 million visitors in 2012 or about 15% increase year on year basis. These arrivals have helped Melaka and Malaccans economically and tourism is regarded as one of major source of income despite her small population. Malaccans cannot deny that fact tourism has benefitted them.

With Melaka being world recognised as a heritage city, property prices and rentals within the Heritage city areas have jumped by 30%. Within the Jonker street and Heeren street, heritage freehold shophouses prices are now being offered between 3 to 5 Million which are unheard of previously. Foreigners especially Singaporeans and Australians consider these prices as cheap in relative terms to the exchange rates. Singaporeans in particular are buying up these properties as investments since Melaka is just 3.5 hours drive away from Singapore.

At the same time, property owners within Melaka are also asking for higher rentals for businesses. Some businessmen from KL are also coming in to invest in properties and businesses as they see the potential of Melaka as a popular tourist destination. Similar trends are also seen in Georgetown, Penang.

New developments in international brands and boutique hotels are being constructed in Melaka and shopping malls are being built on reclaimed land around Bandar Hilir and Klebang. Hopefully, with the construction of new roads such as the coastal road at Klebang and expansion of the Ayer Keroh highway (construction of flyovers at strategic interchanges) will held weekend traffic jams.

Melaka Historical City council should undertake and develop a masterplan so that Melaka can benefit from this in years ahead.

MID AUTUMN FESTIVAL THIS SUNDAY

All Chinese around the world will celebrate the mid Autumn Festival on this coming Sunday. This festival is held on the 15th. Day of the eight month of the Chinese calendar where lanterns will be lit and mooncakes will be eaten.

In the old days, people will eat the mooncakes at night and drink tea under the moonlit night and admire the fullmoon. This tradition is still being carried out in some countries. A good excuse to enjoy the different varieties of mooncakes and the peanuts.

Children enjoy walking around their neighbourhood with their lanterns brightly lit by candles or by modern LED lights which are safer. All good fun for the kids and their parents.

In multicultural Malaysia, this festival is being celebrated by all races especially in the lantern festival or commonly called the Tung Lung festival. Good fun as the children mingle among each other for a night of fun and celebration. Hopefully, this unique Malaysian celebration will continue in years to come.

HAPPY MID AUTUMN FESTIVAL and ENJOY

MELAKA FESTIVAL STARTS FROM 21-23.9.2012

MELAKA FESTIVAL STARTS FROM 21-23.9.2012

MELAKA FESTIVAL 2012 starts tomorrow from 10.00am. Venue is at the historical site of St. Paul's hill in Melaka. Admission to all shows is free, so all people interested in performance arts should make your to Melaka this weekend.

Besides coming to Melaka for her history, cuisines and charm, performance arts can draw crowds and enhance our cultural heritage. Tourism Melaka is supportive of such effort in promoting arts in Melaka. Hope more publicity can be undertaken in future years. This festival should also be incorporated in our Melaka events of the year.

For details, go to www.melakafestival.com.