KUALA LUMPUR: I-Berhad has formed a strategic partnership with Wyndham Hotels and Resorts to establish Wyndham Garden at i-City, alongside the opening of SkyCity in the capital city of Selangor.
This is the second partnership between the property developer and the hotel group, following the success of Wyndham Suites KLCC, launched in September 2023.
I-Berhad chairman Tan Sri Lim Kim Hong said a substantial portion of Malaysian travellers prioritise family-friendly experiences, with 13.7 per cent highlighting 'family fun and friendly' as a key aspect of their international travel enjoyment.
He said the company is now positioning itself at the forefront of the "Playcation" space by introducing an innovative concept that blends attractions like SkyCity with the Wyndham Garden's hospitality.
"With Wyndham Garden and SkyCity, I-Berhad is cementing its position as a front-runner in integrated tourism experiences, seamlessly merging luxury, innovation, and adventure," he added.
SkyCity features a 60-metre LED-lit tower and Malaysia's first 600-metre glass slide, making it a unique family-friendly destination in Shah Alam.
Lim added that these developments align with Malaysia's broader tourism goals under Visit Malaysia 2026, as the country prepares to position itself as a regional travel hub.
Joon Aun OOI, president of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts Asia Pacific, said the introduction of Wyndham Garden at i-City represents more than just an addition of a hotel to its portfolio in Malaysia.
"It signifies the development that integrates the concepts of urban and leisure into Malaysia's most iconic location, i-City. Building on the success of Wyndham Suites KLCC, this new investment further strengthens our partnership with I-Berhad, as we continue to deliver world-class hospitality experiences to Malaysia's flourishing tourism market."
Meanwhile, I-Berhad also unveiled WynSports at Wyndham Suites KLCC. Spanning 24,500 square feet, WynSports is the first of its kind within the Wyndham Global network for Visit Malaysia 2026, offering domestic and international tourists unparalleled entertainment, accommodation, and leisure experiences.
WynSports highlights I-Berhad's forward-thinking approach to integrating hospitality with leisure, demonstrating how thoughtfully designed facilities can not only enhance a development's overall appeal but emerge as a winner within the urban family-friendly tourism segment, said Lim.
For the first nine months of 2024, I-Berhad reported a 2.7-fold increase in pre-tax profit to RM27 million, with the leisure and hospitality segment contributing RM14.6 million, up from RM1.8 million in the same period last year.