KUALA LUMPUR: Sunway Group Bhd is aiming to capture a larger slice of the lucrative outbound market by leveraging the synergistic strengths of its tourism products that are located in integrated townships.
Sunway Malls and Theme Parks chief executive officer HC Chan said as a strategy, the group will put together attractive holistic packages that enable families to shop, play, stay in a single destination.
"We believe ardent travellers will be taking the opportunity to rediscover Malaysia before outbound travel starts again. In 2018, the outbound tourism expenditure was pegged at RM41.3 billion.
"It is a sizeable market that local tourism players can tap by offering attractive packages to help spur travel," he said in a statement today.
He said the tourism packages were in line with the government's efforts to boost tourism, especially with tax relief of RM1,000 for domestic tourism that was announced earlier.
Chan said domestic tourism expenditure grew 11.5 per cent to RM103.2 billion in 2019, marking the fourth consecutive year of double-digit growth before the Covid-19 outbreak.
"We look forward in capturing a portion of this growth as well as a slice of the outbound tourism expenditure," he said.
Sunway Group operates 11 hotels, two theme parks, nine malls, and two hospitals, which are largely located in integrated townships and developments.
Chan said Sunway Group has invested in health and safety training, fittings and implemented customized safety protocols across Sunway's buildings and assets in preparation to welcome travellers.
"We have invested RM30 million in preparation to welcome guests back to Sunway establishments," he said.
In Sunway City Kuala Lumpur, where Sunway Pyramid Hotel, Sunway Pyramid Mall and Sunway Lagoon Theme Park is located, Sunway launched 'Ke Sana Ke Sini Ke Sunway' package on July 6.
The package, which offers travellers a 70 per cent discount off usual prices, had resulted in 10,000 room nights booked at the Sunway Pyramid Hotel so far.
In Sunway Velocity, where Sunway Velocity Hotel, Sunway Velocity Mall and Sunway Velocity Hospital is located, the Group had launched a 'Stay, Screen and Shop' package offering travellers up to 50 per cent off usual prices.
He added that to date, Sunway Malls have seen a recovery of 60 per cent to 70 per cent in footfall and tenants' sales have recovered by 30 per cent to 40 per cent.
Sunway Malls is forecasting a recovery of 75 per cent to 85 per cent footfall by the end of 2020, and tenants' sales are projected to recover 50-60 per cent.
