“We believe that the property and the tourism sector can leverage on each other in a mutually beneficial manner,” Leong Said.
KUALA LUMPUR: The roll-out of the Covid-19 vaccine sends a glimmer of hope to Malaysia’s tourism industry, which has been significantly impacted by border closures and movement control measures.
According to the Ministry of Tourism and Culture, Malaysia only welcomed 4.29 million tourists between January and September 2020, a sharp decrease of 78.6% compared to the corresponding period in 2019.
To enable the nation’s tourism industry to regain its losses and recover, a diversified property group today has urged the government to encourage and support property tourism initiatives spearheaded by local property players.
“We are confident that property tourism can exponentially contribute to the tourism industry. Thus, providing a much-needed jump-start to an industry that has remained relatively dormant for more than one year because of the global pandemic, said Sheng Tai International Sdn Bhd founder and chairman Datuk Leong Sir Ley.
“With the national immunisation plan underway and ahead of schedule, we expect borders to re-open soon. The property and tourism industries must be prepared to hit-the-ground-running as there is a lot of lost ground to catch up to. Property tourism can be a platform that kills two birds with one stone.”
Sheng Tai International is a pioneer in the property tourism industry in Malaysia. Since 2012, the group has brought in over 50,000 people from China, including Hong Kong, and Japan to visit the historical city of Melaka.
Besides providing the very best experience Melaka has to offer, the programme also showcases Sheng Tai International’s property offerings in the state. These include MetraSquare, Ames Hotel, Regalia Beachfront Residence and The Sail, its RM6.5bil flagship development that is slated to be the future central business district of Melaka.
Leong said: “Our property tourism initiative has also generated a positive multiplier effect on Melaka’s economy. After the wonderful experience, our participants will return home and tell their family and friends about it, and we hear that many have returned in larger groups to visit Melaka.
“Once the border re-opens, and people are allowed to travel, Sheng Tai International plans to bring in a total of 8,000 participants on an annual basis. Our developments have progressed significantly over the year.
“We have formed strategic partnerships with global brands like FashionTV, IWG and Memorigin, to set up new and unique establishments that are new to Southeast Asia and Malaysia.”
Leong added that Sheng Tai International would like to recommend that the federal and state governments collaborate to encourage more property players to embrace property tourism through matching grants, financial assistance, and multinational advertising and promotional activities.
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