In the beautiful setting of the Sutera Harbour Resort in Kota Kinabalu, Chief Operating Officer (COO) Mr. Ravi Kathiravelu answered the questions of Tourism-Insider (TIS):
TIS: First, let’s talk about tourism in Sutera Harbour. What can guests expect when traveling to Sutera Harbour?
COO: Guests to Sutera Harbour Resort will find our resort an incredibly vast, all encompassing and an extremely picturesque destination.
TIS: What distinguishes your hotel from others?
COO: Unlike most hotels, Sutera Harbour Resort takes pride in being South East Asia’s first and foremost intergrated resort. Not only does it have two 5-star hotels, the resort also boasts first-class facilities of a marina, golf and country club. Sutera Harbour Resort is also affiliated with 5 other eco-destinations in Sabah managed through Sutera Sanctuary Lodges including Kinabalu Park, Mesilau Nature Resort, Laban Rata, Poring Hot Spring & Nature Reserve and Manukan Island Resort. In addition, the Resort also offers a luxury charter division through North Borneo Yachting and vintage steam locomotive experience through North Borneo Railway. From Resorts located mountain high and ocean deep, Sutera Harbour Resort is ultimately the best way for any traveller to experience Sabah’s hidden gems.
TIS: What are the advantages of having a marina?
COO: The advantages of having a marina encourages visitors from around the world to take their passion for recreational boating into a journey across the ocean to the shores of exotic Borneo. Our marina facilities are among the best in the world and protected year round from extreme weather conditions. The facility also offers berthing services for mega yachts which contribute to the overall growth of boating tourism in the country and for the state of Sabah. From a green perspective, the marina allows Sutera Harbour Resort the opportunity to pursue enviromental initiatives such as aquaculture and natural shoreline protection to promote habitat creation and reforestation in order to continously promote a sustainable marina ecosystem.
TIS: What are you most proud of?
COO: I am very proud to work for such an engaging family of diverse products and services which share a simple objective; to constantly provide unique and memorable experiences for our customers.
TIS: Are there special offers?
COO: All our special offers are available through our website at www.suteraharbour.com.
TIS: How big is the entire hotel complex and the different areas for themselves?
COO: Sprawled across 384 acres, the hotel comprises two 5-star hotels, the signature corporate retreat known as The Pacific Sutera and the chic and charming The Magellan Sutera. In between the two hotels there is a 104-berth marina and fully equipped country club with a fitness centre, racquet facilities such as badminton, squash and an outdoor and covered tennis court. Within the complex, there is also a 12-lane bowling alley, mini theatre, billiards room, karaoke, 2 swimming pools and 1 Olympic sized pool. The hotel is surrounded by a 27-hole championship golf course suitable for day and night golfing and a 41-bay two tiered driving range facility located at the Sutera Harbour Golf Club.
TIS: Why should Europeans spend their holidays in Malaysia, rather than in Europe?
COO: Malaysia is a tropical paradise for travelers that wish to enjoy a warm climate year-round, excellent Asian cuisine and a multi-racial, multi-lingual experience unlike any other. In possession of all this and more, Sabah’s culturally diverse community is further enhanced by its varied landscape and natural wonders. From mountain high to ocean deep, tourism destinations such as Mount Kinabalu, Pulau Tiga (Survivor Island), Maliau Basin (Sabah’s Lost World) and Danum Valley form only a tip of Sabah’s eco-treasures.
TIS: How long does the average tourist stay in Sutera Harbour?
COO: The average tourist from South East Asia normally stays with us for 3.5 nights, however tourists from Europe or Australia normally manage a minimum of 5 nights. We strongly recommend our guests to stay between 4 – 6 nights so they are able to take home a well-rounded Sabah experience during their simply memorable holiday with us.
TIS: Where do most tourists come from?
COO: As a holiday destination, Sabah‘s potential is hampered by the lack of direct flights into the state. However this is easily resolved through a short transit from Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Philippines and even Japan. Currently, most of our tourists are from Korea, Hong Kong, China and Taiwan.
TIS: Is there a trend?
COO: Peak seasons such as school or summer holidays, Christmas and New Year‘s still remain one of our most profitable periods.
TIS: Lets talk about economics. Do you feel the current economic crisis?
COO: The economic crisis has affect the hospitality industry to a certain degree, however from a tourism perspective the outlook is optimistic. Travelling patterns have not changed since travellers are not travelling less, they are just travelling smarter by seeking out cost-effective destinations such as Kota Kinabalu for their next incentive trip or holiday.
TIS: Are there expansion plans?
COO: The Resort already has plans for a room refurbishment and resort upgrading exercise. The process will be carefully executed in stages without affecting the comfort of our of in-house guests.
TIS: Are there any plans to invest in the European market?
COO: The European market segment is one of importance to us.
TIS: How many employees are working at the Sutera Harbour and in what areas?
COO: Sutera Harbour Resort is the second largest private employer in Sabah. The Sutera Harbour group employs over 2000 associates based at the Resort and its five supporting eco-destinations located on the mountain and island.
TIS: What opportunities are there to invest?
COO: Invest in our Resort’s membership program and enjoy special member priviledges and benefits at our golf course and country club.
TIS: How many tourists visit the Sutera Harbour in a year?
COO: In a year we welcome no less than 450,000 tourists to Sutera Harbour Resort alone. This figure does not include the number of tourists to our five other eco-destinations.
TIS: What was the development like in the last ten years?
COO: Within the last ten years, the tourism boom in Malaysia has contributed to the growth and development of Kota Kinabalu from a sleepy town to a bustling city of excitement. Kota Kinabalu International Airport is reputed to be the country’s second busiest airport and recent developments in the city include upgrades to the airport, an increase to the number of shopping malls, construction of new hotels and improved road conditions. During this period, Sutera Harbour is proud to have become Kota Kinabalu’s single and largest MICE venue attracting international corporations and visitors the world over. The Sutera Harbour family has also expanded our range of products and services to nature lodges, luxury vessels, a steam locomotive and possibly even air services in the future.
TIS: Where do you see the Sutera Harbour in 10 years?
COO: In the years forthcoming, I would like to see Sutera Harbour Resort positioned as one of the most outstanding and uniquely dynamic integrated resorts in Asia. Not only are we are different from integrated resorts of the world, we have the ability to offer travellers a wholesome nature-inspired holiday away from the hustle and bustle of city living. We are also looking forward to upcoming developments within the next 3 years such as our Residences, namely Vista and The Point which comprise serviced apartments and suites.
TIS: Mr. Ravi Kathiravelu, thank you very much for your elaboration and for your time.
