KUALA LUMPUR: Sim Leisure Group plans to open KidZania family attraction in secondary cities like Johor Bahru and Kota Kinabalu, besides its Southeast Asian growth plan, founder and chief executive officer Sim Choo Kheng said.
Sim said for Kuala Lumpur, the company would transform the brand from a KidZania 2.0 concept to KidZania 4.0.
"With that comes many creative ideas and quirky changes introduced by the KidZania Mexican franchisor. This transformation is long overdue. But very soon, KidZania Kuala Lumpur will have new appeal to the 'KLites' and visitors to the Klang Valley," he told the New Straits Times.
The outdoor theme-park developer and operator had in November 2020 acquired KidZania KL's licensee Rakan Riang Sdn Bhd for RM3.8 million (S$1.2 million).
Rakan Riang is an 80:20 joint venture between Themed Attractions Resorts & Hotels - the leisure and tourism arm of Malaysian sovereign fund Khazanah Nasional - and Boustead Holdings Bhd.
KidZania Kuala Lumpur, an interactive indoor educational and entertainment centre where children role-play professions and activities designed to mimic adult life, is located at the Curve NX building in Petaling Jaya, Selangor.
Sim said he had always seen KidZania as one of the greatest international brands in the industry.
"I have great admiration for its founder Xavier Ancona. I would not dream of being able to own one yet, but the pandemic gave us an offer we could not refuse.
"All it needs is proper management, the same way we have been managing our business. We are buying during the lows and I firmly believe the pandemic will end soon. Otherwise not only will KidZania Kuala Lumpur go down, but so will everyone in the leisure industry. I am certain it was the right decision," he said.
Sim said during the Movement Control Order, the company had been incubating ideas, creating new business opportunities, sharpening skills, hibernating operations, spending thriftly and surviving on leaner budgets.
"We will be ready for a bigger and better leisure business when things normalise," he said.