From left: KK Supermart & Superstore Sdn Bhd (KK Super Mart) group general manager Tee Kok Hiem, Citta Worldwide Sdn Bhd Datuk Pardip Kumar Kukreja, Citta Worldwide chairman Datuk Seri KK Chai, Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook, Marriott International Inc vice president Andree Susilo, Marriott International vice president and senior legal counsel Huilin Hog, PBLT Sdn Bhd chairman Tan Sri Datuk Seri Mazlan Lazim and Malaysia China Friendship and Mutual Aid Association advisor Datuk Seri Michael Chong at the signing ceremony between Citta Worldwide and Marriott International.
PUTRAJAYA: Citta Worldwide Sdn Bhd anticipates strong average occupancy rates at its upcoming Aloft Seremban hotel, supported by healthy tourism growth in Negri Sembilan.
Founded by KK Group of Companies founder and chief executive officer Datuk Seri Chai Kee Kan, Citta Worldwide is principally involved in real estate investment and it had recently made strides in the hospitality sector.
Speaking to StarBiz, Chai said the robust tourist arrivals in the country would drive growth in the local hospitality industry and hotel operators are expected to benefit from the increase in the number of foreign visitors.
“The tourism industry is moving in the right direction.
“With the recent announcement of China nationals enjoying free visa of up to 90 days from the initial 30 days as well as other government initiatives, I believe the measures will boost the hospitality sector,” he said after the signing ceremony between Citta Worldwide and Marriott International Inc here, yesterday.
Supporting Chai’s comments, Citta Worldwide managing director Datuk Pardip Kumar Kukreja said the group saw opportunities in the Seremban market due to its close proximity to Kuala Lumpur, Port Dickson as well as the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA).
Seremban plays an important role in the industrial sector in Negri Sembilan and foreign investors have the option to stay there instead of commuting daily to the capital city, according to Pardip.
Aloft Seremban targets business professionals, international and domestic tourists, as well as transit passengers.
Citta Worldwide had inked the agreement with Marriott International for the development of the Aloft Seremban hotel, which is slated to be fully operational by the end of this year.
With an estimated gross investment of RM100mil, Chai said Citta Worldwide is anticipating strong revenue growth from the upcoming hotel as the group leverages on Marriott International’s brand, expertise and community.
On Citta Worldwide’s expansion plan, he said the group would look into new opportunities within the hospitality sector once Aloft Seremban is completed.
It will be Citta Worldwide’s first international-branded hotel.
Marriott International vice-president of hotel development in Asia-Pacific Andree Susilo said Aloft Seremban represents a milestone in the groups’ growth in Malaysia.
He added that “the collaboration aligned with the nation’s broader economic and infrastructural growth initiatives including Vision Valley 2.0 and the National Growth Conurbation plan.”
Also present at the signing ceremony were Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook, Negri Sembilan state legislative assembly member Choo Ken Hwa and Negri Sembilan state executive council member as well as state tourism, arts and culture committee chairman Nicole Tan Lee Koon.
