|
SEDC hotels counting on domestic tourist |
 |
 |
KUCHING: The Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) is counting on domestic tourists to occupy the hotels under its management this year amid the global economic downturn.
The hotels under SEDC include Holiday Inn Kuching and Crowne Plaza Riverside Kuching which, effective today (Jan 1), have been renamed Grand Margherita Hotel and Riverside Majestic Hotel.
Both hotels, now directly managed by SEDC after many years under international hotel chains, are expected to face tougher competition with new hotels opening up in Kuching and fewer tourists coming from abroad.
Chairman Datuk Talip Zulpilip said the corporation is now focussing on luring domestic holiday makers to spend their holidays in Sarawak at SEDC hotels.
"Just like anybody else, we are also worried about next year (this year) as people do not travel as much any more due to the worsening world economy.
"But we are counting on domestic tourism... people who used to go overseas for holidays, who might now want to have holidays in Sarawak. This is what we are working hard on these days," he said.
Talip said this after launching Damai Beach Resort's I-Privilege Card on Tuesday night. Damai Beach Resort and Damai Puri Resort in Santubong, which were previously under the international Holiday Inn chain, are now also under the direct management of SEDC.
Talip said SEDC is also a shareholder of the Grand Mulu Resort at Mulu National Park and the Parkcity hotels in Bintulu and Miri.
He added that SEDC would retain all staff at Grand Margherita Hotel and Riverside Majestic Hotel, brushing away suggestions of any retrenchments following the direct management exercise.
"No retrenchment, not even one... all staff members are the same people, we are not firing anybody, we are hiring the same people," he said.
He also said that SEDC has recruited a Malaysian, Arthur Yeap, as general manager for both Grand Margherita Hotel and Riverside Majestic Hotel.
Yeap has 30 years experience in the hotel industry including a stint as general managerfor Holiday Inn Nanchang, China.
"Yeap will be directly under us (SEDC). Previously when the hotels were under IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group), we had to talk first to IHG before the matter goes down to the staff and managers. Now, we talk directly to them," he said.
Earlier in his speech, Talip said introducing the I-Privilege Card is one of SEDC's steps to improve business.
"Our job is to deliver good service with value. If we can do that, we can overcome the impact of the downturn," he said. The I-Privilege Card gives members benefits in the form of complimentary resort stays and discounts on food and beverages as well as meeting's packages.
It also gives rebates for patronising external affiliates like the Sarawak Cultural Village, Damai Beach and Country Club, Bing Company, Star Cineplex, Rigi Hairdo, Normah Medical Centre, Tokyo Time and many others. Points accumulated in relation to spending at the resort and affiliates can be redeemed for a range of exciting rewards such as overseas trips and branded items.
The Borneo Post
01-01-2009
|
|
Sarawak tourism assets upgrade starts early 2009 |
|
|
THE Sarawak Economic Development Corporation's (SEDC) five-year plan to upgrade its flagship tourism properties to keep abreast with the changing times and new market trend is expected to start early next year, its chairman Datuk Talib Zulpilip said on Sunday.
He said the SEDC's upgrading plan included the refurbishment of the kilometre-long Kuching Waterfront, hotels, namely the Holiday Inn Kuching and the Crowne Plaza Riverside Kuching; as well as the Sarawak Cultural Village and Top Spot Food Court in Kuching.
"The exercise will take a few months to complete. The budget has been approved and sourced from our own internal funds," he told reporters after the reopening of the Sarawak Plaza shopping complex by Kuching Hotels Sdn Bhd chairman Tan Sri Bujang Mohd Nor.
Located in the city's central business district at Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman in Kuching, Talib said RM3 million was spent on the refurbishment of the complex but the SEDC will maintain the current rental rates to assist the 41 tenants face the current economic downturn.
First opened for business in November 1985, the Sarawak Plaza, which remains one of the premier shopping complexes in Sarawak, is owned by Kuching Hotels, a subsidiary of the SEDC. - Bernama
New Straits Times
23-12-2008 |
|
Sarawak Plaza re-opens with young, trendy look |
|
|
KUCHING: Sarawak Plaza shopping Complex at Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman here reopened with a young and trendy look yesterday after being closed since October for a renovation works.
Sarawak economic development Corporation (SEDC) chairman Datuk Talib Zulpilip said the complex's refurbishment was part of a 5 year plan to upgrade their tourism flagship properties in keeping with changing times and new market trends.
"We believe the time has come for us to give this place a new look and the fact that the renovation works can be completed in a short time, is in itself something all of us can be proud of," he said at a grand reopening ceremony at the plaza atrium yesterday.
He said further improvements to the ambience and facilities would also be made to make the complex more users friendly to shoppers and tenants alike.
According to Talib, all the tenants had return, and even though RM3 million had been spent on the refurbishment work, SEDC has decided to maintain the rental rates for the time being to assist the tenants during this economic downturn.
Kuching Hotels Sdn. Bhd. chairman Tan Sri Bujang Nor meanwhile said he was confident that with the refurbishment, Sarawak Plaza would continue to thrive as a successful shopping complex in the city.
"In order to meet the demand and challenges, we the owner, have agreed to refurbish this place to turn it into a high quality shopping mall,"
"Being in the middle of the city, this shopping mall is popular with locals and tourists. We are confident that with the refurbishment, this complex will continue to remain attractive to shoppers," he said.
Bujang said that the light coloured floor and bright ceiling made of durable materials gave the shopping complex a young and trendy image.
The toilet facilities had also been improved, with modern fittings and facilities for the handicapped people provided.
Since the opening of Sarawak Plaza in November 1985, it has been a premier shopping complex in the city, and is generally accepted by customers.
The complex with opens from 10.30am to 9.30pm daily has about 40 tenants offering a mix of trade items such as sportswear, eatery, ladies boutiques, personal care and bookstores.
SEDC general manager Laura Lee, deputy general manager Wan Lizozman Wan Omar, and Lea Group of Companies managing director Raymond Sim were also present at the reopening ceremony.
The Borneo Post
22/12/2008 |
|
Talib: Kuching waterfront extension plan still on |
|
|
KUCHING: The plan to extend the Kuching Waterfront to the old mosque area here is still on.
"When we have the budget, we will do it," said Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) chairman Datuk Talib Zulpilip said yerterday.
Talib was speaking to the media after the official reopening ceremony of Sarawak Plaza shopping complex.
He confirmed the plan discussed a few years ago was not abandoned, "only that we can't do anything at one go."
Talib said it might be good to implement projects during a period of economic down because the costs would be lower.
The Eastern Times
22/12/2008
|
|
SEDC going for facelift |
|
|
|
KUCHING: The Sarawak State Economic Development Corporation has approved tens of millions of ringgit to refurbish its two international hotels and several other tourism-related assets.
Its chairman Datuk Talib Zulpilip said the Holiday Inn Kuching and Crowne Plaza Riverside Hotel, tourism gold award winner Sarawak Cultural Village in the Santubong peninsula, near here, and the Top Spot Food Court would be upgraded next year.
"The refurbishment of Kuching Waterfront is now in progress," he said after the official re-opening of the refurbished Sarawak Plaza Shopping Complex here yesterday.
Talib said there were plans to extend the popular, 890m-long waterfront following the recent closure of the Gambier Street wet market but the project would only be carried out when funds were available,
Kuching Hotels Sdn Bhd (an SEDC subsidiary) chairman Tan Sri Bujang Mohd Nor officiated the re-opening event.
SEDC spent some RM3mil to refurbish the 23-year-old Sarawak Plaza, which remained a premier shopping centre.
To a question, Talib said it might be better to carry out refurbishment work during the present economic slowdown as it would cost less and we do not lose business.
He added that the money allocated for the refurbishment projects was internally generated.
The Star Online
22/12/2008
|
|
Sarawak SEDC to start upgrading exercise of flagship properties early next year |
|
|
|
The Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) five-year plan to upgrade its flagship tourism properties to keep in step with the changing times and new market trends, is expected to start early next year, its chairman Datuk Talib Zulpilip said on Sunday.
He said the SEDC's upgrading plan included the refurbishment of the kilometre-long Kuching Waterfront, hotels, namely the Holiday Inn Kuching and the Crowne Plaza Riverside Kuching as well as the Sarawak Cultural Village and Top Spot Food Court here.
"The exercise will take a few months to complete. The budget has been approved and sourced from our own internal funds," he told reporters after the reopening of the Sarawak Plaza shopping complex here by Kuching Hotels Sdn Bhd chairman, Tan Sri Bujang Mohd Nor.
Located in the city's central business district at Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman here, Talib said RM3 million was spent on the refurbishment of the complex but the SEDC would maintain the current rental rates to assist the 41 tenants face the current economic downturn.
First opened for business in November 1985, the Sarawak Plaza, which remains one of the premier shopping complexes here, is owned by Kuching Hotels, a subsidiary of the SEDC.
The Kuching Waterfront project was opened in 1993 and is regarded as one of the best examples of urban regeneration and rehabilitation in Asia with old shophouses and international-class hotels sprouting within 500 metre radius of it.
The New Straits Times Online
22/12/2008
|
|
Never give up hope on special needs children |
|
|
Kuching: Parents of special children need must never give up hope as their children have the chance to excel in life said Jepak assemblymen Datuk Talib Zulilip.
"It is not the end of the world as there is still hope for those who have children with special needs," said Talib who is also Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) chairman.
He cited the example of Helen Keller, the first visually and hearing impaired university graduate in the United States, who went on to become a great American author, acivist and lecturer.
Talib said a responsible and caring society would never alienate those woth special needs but instead help them to be more independent and successful in life.
He added that this was the message SEDC tries to spread among its staff and others through corporate social responsibility projects like Love-in-a-Box.
He was speaking at the presentation of Love-in-a-Box gifts to 18 special needs children here yesterday.
Earlier Family Support Group for Special Children of Sarawak president Awang Putra Awang Jaya said the group was looking forward to working with others to give the best care for children with special needs.
He believed a concerted effort would enable the group to get first hand knowledge on better treatment and care for special needs children.
"I urge all to contine lending a helping hand to these children, not only in cash but also in kind like contributing ideas on how to better these children's future," said Putra.
Children with special needs include tyhose with learning disabilities like Dyslexia and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
21/11/2008
Borneo Post
|
|
Talib pays courtesy call on CM |
|
|
KUCHING: The Chairman of Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC), Datuk Haji Talib Zulpilip, paid a courtesy call on the Chief Minister, Pehin Sri Haji Abdul Taib Mahmud, at the former’s office at the State Legislative Assembly Complex here yesterday morning.
The purpose of the visit was to hand over the “Malaysian Business Ethics Excellent Award 2008†to the Chief Minister.
The award was presented to the SEDC Corporate Relations and Quality Division Director, Edwin Abit by the Minister of Domestic Trade and Affairs, Datuk Shahrir Abdul Samad, at Putrajaya International Convention Centre last Tuesday night.
Also present at the handing over ceremony were Deputy Chief Minister, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu anak Numpang, former State Attorney General, Datuk Fong Joo Chung, Deputy State Secretary (Administrative, Security and Corporate Affairs Division) Datuk Haji Mohamad Morshidi Abdul Ghani, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Planning and Resource Management, Datu Wan Alwi Dato Sri Wan Hashim and SEDC Acting General Manager, Laura Lee.
13/11/2008
Eastern Times
|
|
SEDIDIK pupils can read, write and count: GM |
|
|
Bintulu: Bintulu Zone Sedidik kindergarten achieved 100 percent competency in basic skills of reading, writing and counting.
This was according to an evaluation of the six-year-old pupils made last September that saw an increased achievement of four percent over the previous year.
Sedidik Sdn. Bhd. general manager Awang Yusop Awang Adom reavealed this at the 17th Sedidik Convocation held at Bangunan Martabat in RPR Taman Sebiew Indah yesterday.
Awang Yusop said the results showed the commitment of teachers and passion of parents in nurturing their children until they reached the minimum standard of 3M (read, write and count). It is vital preparation for them to compete with other students when they enter formal school.
“This year 2,055 children aged six years old from 1,893 families participated in our programme at Sedidik throughout our 58 centres statewide, aided by 142 teachers,†he said.
Awang Yusop said the youngsters should be allowed to study their own pace. The slower ones should not be neglected as every child has the potential to succeed.
“Every child is our priority – the tagline for Sedidik since last September,†he said, urging parents to motivate and support their children in learning.
It is in line with Sedidik’s aim since 1990 to enhance the quality of early childhood education and care in Sarawak. It is also in line with an allocation in the convention on the rights of a child which emphasizes four elements: survival, protection, development and participation.
Awang said parents and teachers must try harder to develop the children’s potential so they would have a brighter future.
“Sedidik will continue to improve its quality of service in all aspects and, hopefully, it can be the greatest of an early education and care,†he assured.
A total of 562 children, aged six years old in 58 centres statewide, will complete studying in Sedidik this year. Out of that, 81 are from Bintulu.
Jepak assemblymen who is Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) chairman Datuk Haji Talib Zulpilip presented the certificates to the children.
Among those present at the function were Deputy Resident Sirai Daha; representative from Bintulu Development Authority, Maimunah Matali; officer from Bintulu Combined Education Office, Maimunah Yunus and Temenggong Abang Suhaili Abang Mohammad.
12/11/2008
The Borneo Post
|
|
Global crisis calls for imagination: SEDC |
|
|
Kuching: Local hoteliers are faced with the challenged of filling their rooms because of the current global economic crisis.
Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) chairman Datuk Haji Talib Zulpilip said due to the poor economic situation, the tourism and travel industry, hotels in particular, were badly affected as people travelled less.
“In this situation, many hotels are offering discount packages to attract tourists to fill their empty rooms and that is a challenge,†he said at a thanksgiving dinner at Holiday Inn Kuching.
He lauded hotels for their initiatives, saying under global economic uncertainties they must be imaginative in trying to lure people to fill up their rooms.
The dinner was held for some 250 regular supporters of Holiday Inn Kuching, Crowne Plaza Riverside Kuching and Damai beach Resort. It was also to introduce Holiday Inn Kuching’s Ramadhan dinner promotion ‘Macam-macam Ada’ on Wednesday night.
Talib also launched the School Holiday Packages of Holiday Inn Kuching, Crowne Plaza Riverside Kuching and Damai Beach Resort during the function.
Talib said the support from various parties including the Customs Department, Immigration Department and public were essential to boost the local tourism industry.
“Other than having good hotels and good products offered at reasonable prize, those in the departments and public at large should portray hospitability to encourage tourism in the state,†he added.
The school holiday packages include the ‘Schools Out’ package, a three-day-two-night stay at Holiday Inn Kuching. The package is priced from RM309 onwards.
Crowne Plaza’s ‘Family Fun’ package is a three-day-two-night stay proced from RM359 onwards.
Both packages are inclusive of breakfast, ‘Kids Eat Free’, late check-out until 4pm and a 10 percent discount at the hotels’ restaurants, terms and condition apply.
For packages at Damai Beach Resort, the room offer starts from RM205 for a two-day-one-night stay with ‘Kids Eat Free’, late check-out until 4pm and a 20 percent discount at the hotels’ restaurants, terms and condition apply.
Activities available at the resorts include games at the Kids’ Village, golf clinics for children, Fishing Night and Family Village Walk.
Present at the dinner on Wednesday night were Holiday Inn Kuching and Crowne Plaza Riverside hotel manager Alvin Jayaseelan and Damai Beach Resort manager Zulkifli Othman.
07/11/2008
The Borneo Post |
|
|
News
