The iconic Sheraton Kota Kinabalu Hotel.
KOTA KINABALU: Interland Development Sdn Bhd has signed a hotel management and franchise agreement with Marriott International for its proposed 345 key five-star Sheraton Kota Kinabalu Hotel development located within the vicinity of Kota Kinabalu Central Business District.
Marriott International operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts all around the world. It is the world’s largest hotel chain and travel company, offering unmatched choice for guests and driving unravelled value for owners. With its expansive portfolio of over 30 leading brands encompassing more than 7,200 properties across 134 countries around the world, its dynamic sales and marketing platform, and a global scale that drives efficiency, hotel owners benefit from clear competitive advantage and opportunity to maximise their hotel investment.
Interland Development, on the other hand, is a 100+ACU- home-grown corporation in Sabah, led by Tan Sri Datuk Paul Lim, under the TP Group of Companies.
From the early days of humble beginning, the company spurred from a progressive development of the Group’s business activities, is now set to change the skyline of Kota Kinabalu city with an iconic Sheraton Kota Kinabalu Hotel.
Marriott International was represented by its regional Asia Pacific Vice President of Hotel Development, Peter Gassner, and Asia Pacific Director of Hotel Development, Andree Susilo while Interland Development was represented by its Group Managing Director, Tan Sri Datuk Paul Lim, and Group CEO, Datuk Ir Peter Chu for the signing of the agreement.
“Interland Development Sdn Bhd and Marriot International have been engaging in a very fruitful strategic partnership discussion for the past one year and have successfully developed the joint venture partnership. The signing of this agreement marks a new page of cooperation between Interland Development Sdn Bhd and Marriot International. As you can see, Marriot international is considered the biggest hotel operator in the world today, as they have put up the biggest networking and hotel chain in every corner and footprint of the world today. I am sure this joint venture will bring along sizeable tourist attraction and innovative products. I strongly believe that our combined strengths in this development will take the quality of entertainment and many aspects of our tourism products to the next level. Most important of all, we will build a strong and professional service provider team and cultivate talents together in the area of tourism and hospitality,” said Chu.
“Kota Kinabalu is a major tourist destination in Malaysia, making it an ideal location to continue expanding the Sheraton Hotel brand in the country. Given its local expertise and strategic vision for development, we look forward to partnering with Interland Development Sdn Bhd in bringing the Sheraton Hotel brand in this market. The signing of the Sheraton Kota Kinabalu Hotel marks a significant milestone in Marriott International’s continued growth in Malaysia and South East Asia. Having engaged world renowned design teams, the Sheraton Kota Kinabalu Hotel will adopt the rejuvenated Sheraton brand hotel facilities and design direction – from the lobby, restaurants to the guestrooms. It will be an iconic building in Kota Kinabalu, and promises refreshing guest experiences, be it for leisure or business travellers,” said Gassner.