Date:06/05/2005 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/05/06/stories/2005050601470700.htm

Back Taj Hotels in pact to operate resort in Malaysia

Our Bureau

Mumbai , May 5

TAJ Hotels Resorts and Palaces has marked its entry into South-East Asia by signing a management contract with Rebak Island Marina Berhad to operate and manage the Rebak Marina Resort, a 106-room premium resort on the island of Langkawi in Malaysia.

This is part of Taj's global strategy to establish its presence in key gateway cities and leisure destinations, an official statement said.

This deal comes close on the heels of the Taj signing a development and management contract to operate a resort property in Dubai last month.

The Rebak Marina Resort is located on a 390-acre island off the Langkawi mainland and has mountains, cliffs, and beaches. The resort has the only fully-equipped marina in Malaysia, facilitating the maintenance of sailing yachts. It is close to the airport and is a 15-minute ferry ride from the mainland jetty.

The Taj will shortly take over the day-to-day operations of the resort and run it under the Rebak Marina Resort brand. Simultaneously, the management will work with the owners to undertake a $5-million upgradation and renovation programme, which is scheduled to be completed over 12-18 months, it said.

The statement quoting Mr Raymond Bickson, Managing Director, Indian Hotels Company Ltd, said: "Malaysia has emerged as one of the most popular international tourism destinations. Additionally, with the emergence of a number of airlines operating from India to the South-East Asia and the rapidly burgeoning Indian outbound travel market, these destinations are beginning to form an integral part of the Taj Group's strategy. Our foray into Langkawi is a big step towards establishing a significant presence for the Taj brand in South-East Asia."

Much of the large 390-acre island is currently in the natural state covered with vegetation, hills and beaches. Rebak Island Marina Berhad is a joint venture between the DRB-HICOM Group of Malaysia, one of biggest conglomerates in Malaysia, and Langkawi Development Authority.

Langkawi, a prime tourist destination in Malaysia, is made up of 99 tropical islands in the Andaman Sea and lies in north-western Peninsula, close to the Thailand border. DRB HICOM Group is a conglomerate with interests in Automobile manufacturing and distribution, property development & infrastructure and service sectors.