One World sees RM70m revenue in bustling 2010

THE five-star One World Hotel in Bandar Utama, Petaling Jaya, expects 2010 revenue to touch RM70 million, a 30 per cent jump from last year, as the improving economy sees the hotel hosting more functions and filling up more rooms.

Last year, like most hotels, it was hit by the global economic downturn. Its revenue declined by 15 per cent from RM64 million posted in 2008.

The hotel, owned and operated by property developer See Hoy Chan Holdings, filled just over half its 438-room inventory and garnered an average room rate (ARR) of RM310.

General manager Ho Hoy Sum said his forecast for 2010 follows an encouraging fourth quarter in 2009, which has continued into January this year.
"The fourth quarter of 2009, which was one of our best ever quarters, had helped narrow the shortfall of the first nine months of last year. January 2010 is doing better than January 2009," Ho told Business Times in an interview.

Ho hopes to grow contribution from the leisure group, which now makes up 5 per cent of its guests profile to 10 per cent.

Improved performance will also be a result of its strategy to have a bigger online representation and attending international tourism events, including the Asean Tourism Forum (ATF) and International Tourism Boerse (ITB).

Ho expects that the hotel's recent awards - The BrandLaureate - SMEs Chapter Awards 2009 and Malaysia Tourism Awards 2008/2009 - will further lend support to its performance.

One World makes just as much from food and beverage as it does from room revenue. Of the RM35 million expected from food and beverage this year, some 40 per cent comes from banqueting events.

Even though this hotel may just be two-and-a-half years old, it recently spent RM2 million to upgrade some of its rooms to better compete with additional room inventory that will come on stream this year with new hotel openings.

"Whenever there is a new player, there will always be an impact, as people tend to want to try new things. We are not going to wait for them (competitors) and only then react.

"We have done some soft refurbishment that adds class to our room and enhances it," he said, adding that the changes and additions were made after listening to its customers.

Changes include installing massage chairs in the executive suites, exclusive Harnn & Thann amenities, complimentary laundry and in-room premium coffee/tea machines.


Source : BusinessTimes
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news travel tourism travel tourism news]