8.3.2019 TTG Show Daily ITB Berlin 11
Report Beach resorts
Quoc opened in 2016 as part of five-star
Sonasea Villas & Resorts tourism complex,
Vinpearl Phu Quoc complex, comprising
a five-star hotel and villas, amusement
park, golf course and a wildlife safari.
In the luxury pipeline is BIM Group’s
Regent Residences Phu Quoc, which will
be the island’s first six-star resort when it
opens in 2020.
While the raft of luxury properties plug
the current shortage of availability during
peak months, Linh Le, group managing
director of Asia DMC, expresses fears of
Phu Quoc losing its natural charm.
“Once built, the developments will
establish Phu Quoc as an international
destination,” he said. “However, natural
beach landscapes will be replaced with
manicured beach landscapes belonging
privately to resorts and dedicated to resort
guests.”
Atilla Mesut Erda, chief operating of-
ficer at Fusion Resort Phu Quoc, which
opened in mid-2017, added it is vital the
island’s natural appeal is preserved by de-
velopers.
She said: “The local community and
stakeholders need to ensure Phu Quoc
does not lose its traditional charm, clean
environment, pristine beaches, and the
friendly spirit of the locals.” – Marissa
Carruthers
DESARU: SUNNY DAYS AHEAD FOR AN
INTEGRATED DESTINATION
Desaru Coast is fast shaping up as a tour-
ism hotspot in Malaysia, as the integrated
destination in South-eastern Johor wel-
comes a host of developments and attrac-
tions.
Developed by Desaru Development
Holdings One, Desaru Coast is home to
four hotels and resorts, two world-class
golf courses, a themed water park, a retail
village as well as a conference centre.
The destination recently welcomed
the 365-room Hard Rock Desaru Coast,
which will be followed in 2019 by The
Westin Desaru Coast Resort, Anan-
tara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas and
One&Only Desaru Coast, which will offer
42 suites, two luxury suites and an exclu-
sive four-bedroom villa.
Desaru Coast Adventure Waterpark,
which opened in July, is also an anchor
attraction, offering unique rides such as
the first-ever water coaster in the region
and one of the largest wave pools in the
world.
Golfing is a key recreational attrac-
tion in the destination. The Els Club
Desaru Coast comprises two manicured
golf courses that feature 45 holes in total;
Ocean Course, a 27-hole golf course de-
signed by four-time major winner Ernie
Els; and Valley Course, an 18-hole golf
course designed by Els in collaboration
with major champion, Vijay Singh.
Roslina Arbak, CEO, Desaru Devel-
opment Holdings One, said key foreign
markets targeted are Singaporeans as well
as tourists travelling to Malaysia via Sin-
gapore, Indonesia, China, Hong Kong and
India.
She added: “While our primary focus
is to attract holidaymakers, we are also
mindful that Malaysia is growing to be
one of the most preferred business events
destinations for foreign delegates.
“Further, we believe Desaru Coast,
with its integrated destination offerings,
situated along a pristine 17km beach-
front, is well placed to capture the grow-
ing “bleisure” market, benefiting from its
unique mix of corporate and leisure fa-
cilities and strategic location,” said Arbak.
– S Puvaneswary
The Sanchaya Bintan
Desaru Coast