PUCHONG: NCT Group has launched 1001 Nights Hotel at Grand Ion Majestic (GIM) in Genting Highlands, Pahang as part of the latest Trademark Collection by Wyndham.
NCT said GIM, along with the 1001 Nights Hotel, is expected to enhance tourism in Genting Highlands by drawing a wide variety of visitors, thereby reinforcing Malaysia's status as a travel destination in Southeast Asia.
The hotel's soft opening is set for the fourth quarter of 2024 (4Q24).
"It aligns with national tourism goals, and particularly the Visit Malaysia 2026 initiative, which aims to draw 35.6 million tourists," the group added.
The GIM is being developed with a total gross development value (GDV) of RM 1.6 billion and will include a retail space of 178,000 square feet, offering a variety of shopping and dining experiences.
The 1001 Nights Hotel was designed by Professor Zhao Ming, founder and chairman of Jiangda Design Co Ltd.
NCT Group founder and group managing director Datuk Seri Yap Ngan Choy said the 1001 Nights Hotel represents a significant achievement for the group.
"As we raise the benchmark in the luxury hospitality sector and the profile of Genting Highlands as a coveted destination for travellers and tourists who desire the unexpected.
"Together with the expertise of branding master Professor Zhao Ming, who has skilfully captured our aspirations, we are creating an architectural marvel that symbolises decades of excellence that NCT Group is committed to upholding in the property development sector and have built our stellar reputation on," he added.
NCT Group vice president and finance Sae-Yap Atthakovit said the company remains focused on property development as the main contributor to its operations.
"In terms of the contribution from the hospitality side, perhaps we are looking at 20 per cent to 30 per cent as a whole," he told reporters at the press conference.
In addition to its property segment, Atthakovit said the company is also concentrating on the industrial park sector, responding to a growing trend in this area.
"We are quite aggressive in the industrial park segment. Recently, we signed a joint venture (JV) with Northern Gateway Group of Companies (NGX), a subsidiary of the Minister of Finance Inc in Bukit Kayu Hitam.
"That would be our main focus going down the road. We are open to more collaboration opportunities because we see the trend is there," he added.
The event was attended by Pahang state executive council for unity, tourism and culture Leong Yu Man and Tourism Malaysia board of director and deputy chairman Datuk Yeoh Soon Hin and head of Visit Malaysia 2026 secretariat Zain Azrai Rashim.