The 'New' Damai Beach Resort

Caroline Yeo (left) and Zulkifli Othman relaxing by the poolside bar.

KUCHING: On April 1, Holiday Inn Resort Damai Beach was renamed Damai Beach Resort in a rebranding exercise undertaken by the Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC).

The new management team is led by the Resort Manager, Zulkifli Othman, a highly experienced hotelier, who has worked in international hotels and resorts in the region.

The Resort also has a capable and experienced team in place to bring the property to the next level. This is being carried out through planned strategies in relation to rebranding, infrastructure upgrading, business development, service quality enhancement and talent management.

“In addition to the local market, we will be aggressively targeting regional and international market. Apart from the European and Scandinavian markets, we are particularly interested in the China, Macau, Hong Kong and Taiwan markets. We will also increase our involvement in the MICE market as we have the necessary attributes to provide a unique MICE experience,” said Zulkifli, while adding that brand loyalty could not be secured by merely having excellent guest rooms and facilities.

According to Zulkifli, guests keep returning because they find that their lives have been enriched while at the Resort, which also offers special packages in relation to MICE, weddings and romantic getaways.

“These are high-value and interesting retreats and packages, designed to provide guests with an experience to cherish and remember,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Resort’s Director of Talent and Business Development, Caroline Yeo, said: “We are continuously improving the quality of services with structured trainings for the staff. Here, we don’t just serve with a smile as it can be superficial and forced. We practise servicing from the heart.”

To date, Damai Beach Resort has developed a wide range of eco-tourism, adventure and wellness packages, namely, the Damai Golf Retreat, Damai Nature Retreats, Damai Spa Indulgence Retreat, Damai Holistic Wellness Retreat, Damai Family Retreat and Damai Ultimate Escapade Retreat, catering to different needs and market segments. There is also the Executives’ Time-Out Retreat, specially designed for busy executives from both the public and private sectors.

“We believe that we do not have to be expensive to be exclusive as we are a four-star resort offering five-star services,” said Yeo

Other new development at the resort is the establishment of a seafood restaurant called ‘Fishermen’s Catch’ - a popular dining outlet serving fresh seafood and themed dinner events, such as the Headhunters’ Night (on Thursdays) with cultural performances and dinner.

“Our prices at the Fishermen’s Catch are comparable to Buntal and it is open every night except Thursdays when it is reserved for the Headhunter’s Night. And just last Thursday, our Headhunter’s Night was held by the poolside,” added Yeo.

Rooms at the Damai Beach Resort start from RM220, depending on booking seasons. Eastern Times learnt that the Resort would continue to enhance its service quality with various interesting activities, new products and value-added services.

Taken From:

Eastern Times, 7/04/2008