(From left to right) Accor senior vice-president of operations for Malaysia and Indonesia Michel Vivier, Super Ace Resources Sdn Bhd director Datuk Paul Wong, Ramesh, Paramount Corporation Bhd group chief executive officer Benjamin Teo, Amirudin, Super Ace Resources chairman Datuk Seri Dr Michael Yam, Maria Chin, Paramount Corporation Bhd group chief operating officer Jeffrey Chew and Halimey.
Business tourism is a lucrative segment of meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) and the third largest contributor to the country’s tourism, says Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari.
“Selangor’s attractions and the growing MICE business has caused the state to become a chosen vacation destination.
“Besides that, Kuala Lumpur International Airport and Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport are in Selangor, which give an edge to the hospitality industry,” he said.
Earlier, Amirudin launched the Mercure Kuala Lumpur Glenmarie located at the heart of Glenmarie, Shah Alam, Selangor.
Mercure, which is a new integrated development of Utropolis Glenmarie, is the first international business hotel in the Glenmarie area, which caters to both business and leisure travellers.
Amirudin added that he was happy to see the hospitality business gaining traction.
“The world’s economy is battling a crisis on multiple fronts and the supply chain is still facing a massive disruption with no near end in sight.
“Food prices are on the rise while weather patterns are becoming increasingly uncertain.
“However, we cannot stand still but must take the challenge head on,” he said, emphasising that Selangor was resilient and would overcome the challenges of the pandemic and economic issues.
Mercure Kuala Lumpur Glenmarie general manager Ramesh Singh Sappel said he was hopeful about the hotel’s future considering its ideal location.
“With all the limitations and challenges faced during the movement control order due to the pandemic, we have created better services to enhance hospitality offerings,” he said, adding that all this was made possible with the support of the Accor team.
He was delighted that Mercure was now a fully functioning four-star hotel with 229 stylishly designed rooms, an urban pool lounge with a stunning view and facilities to host professional and personal events.
Mercure Kuala Lumpur Glenmarie is within the 8.78ha Utropolis Glenmarie area, which houses Utropolis Marketplace mall, serviced apartments and a university college campus, developed by Paramount Corporation Bhd.
Also present at the event were Petaling Jaya MP Maria Chin Abdullah and Seri Setia assemblyman Halimey Abu Bakar.
