Business

Wednesday August 1, 2012

Khazanah invests RM115mil in theme park in Nusajaya

By LIZ LEE
lizlee@thestar.com.my


PETALING JAYA: Themed Attractions and Resorts Sdn Bhd (TAR), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Khazanah Nasional Bhd, has invested RM115mil into its Puteri Harbour Family Theme Park in Nusajaya, Johor.

The 90%-completed theme park is expected to attract 500,000 visitors in its first year of operations.

Based on the RM60 all-access ticket price, the company is confident of achieving at least RM30mil in sales, according to managing director and chief executive Tunku Datuk Ahmad Burhanuddin.

Ahmad said 45% of the theme park visitors would be foreigners. The four-level theme park on 80,000 sq ft is expected to open its doors in November.

<B>Eating out:</B> Datuk Mohd Nor Khalid, also known as Lat, posing with a promotional cut-out of Lat’s Place. Inspired by a Malaysian village setting, the diner is expected to draw in the crowds to the theme park in Nusajaya. Eating out: Datuk Mohd Nor Khalid, also known as Lat, posing with a promotional cut-out of Lat’s Place. Inspired by a Malaysian village setting, the diner is expected to draw in the crowds to the theme park in Nusajaya.

It is aimed at raising the profile of Nusajaya as a tourist destination.

TAR, which is also a major stakeholder in Legoland, saw synergy between Puteri Harbour andthe latter.

“We don't see Legoland cannibalising the theme park'business. In fact, we see them supplementing and complementing each other,” he said,

Ahmad believed that Legoland and the upcoming theme park would encourage visitors to stay longer in Nusajaya thus increase tourist spendings.

“When people come to Malaysia, they want a variety of things to do. We are coming out with the products to service them and add to the things they can do,” he said

Ahmad said the theme park would be providing 200 jobs and have a multiplier-effect on hotels and suppliers in the area.

TAR has partnered with Malaysia Airlines and AirAsia in its marketing effortsto attract tourists from China, India and the Middle East.

The Puteri Harbour Family Theme Park will have three major attractions, the local cartoon-inspired diner Lat's Place, the first Sanrio Hello Kitty Town outside of Japan and The Little Big Club featuring cartoon characters like Bob the Builder and Barney.

Lat's Place will be designed in a Malaysian village setting, coupled with animation for patrons to interact with.

TAR, which is the operational and management company for Khazanah, has other projects including the Ocean Quest Marine Park and Ocean Splash Water Park in Desaru Coast.

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