Ipoh to be world tourism spot, The Haven collaborates with Germany’s TUI Group

Ipoh is poised to be a world acclaimed tourism spot now that its tourism resort – The Haven signed a management deal with the German – based TUI Group – the world biggest tourism operator.

The historic collaboration took place yesterday with The TUI Group represented by its hospitality chain division – The TUI Blue chief executive officer Artur Gerber while the Haven was represented by its cordial chief executive officer Peter Chan.

Ipoh Lord Mayor Datuk Rumaizi Baharin @ Md Daud witnessed the event.

Malaysia – German Chamber of Commerce executive director Jan Noether outlined the impressive credentials of the TUI Group, which stands for Tourism Union International.

As of 2023, TUI has the highest market capitalisation of any tour operator in the world, exceeding USD$ 3 billion (RM13.08 billion), it serves 180 destinations worldwide including Spain, Shanghai, Croatia and Costa Rica with 1,600 associate travel agencies.

TUI owns or manages over 400 hotels worldwide with over 200,000 beds in 30 nations and it operates five European airliners with a fleet of 130 aircraft, owns a flotilla of 16 cruise ships and employs 67,000 tourism specialists globally.

Others present were TUI Blue chief financial officer Jano Martin, TUI Blue – head of operations (Asia) Alex Lam and Tui Blue (Asia) managing director Huilian Du.

A beaming Rumaizi said that Perak through Ipoh, is already the top destination for domestic tourists, finishing fourth after Kuching, Kuantan and Johor Bahru.

Recording 7.50 million tourist arrivals last year, Rumaizi, who is locally known as Mr Tourism, wants to showcase the state capital as a top inbound destination for Asia, not just in Malaysia or the Southeast Asia.

The capturing of international brand such as TUI and Marriot, is a step in the right direction, said Rumaizi, who added that the state has the saleable elements of eco – tourism, exotic accommodation such as The Haven and gastronomic delights to position itself as a top tourism destination.

“We follow the principles of 4P – product, place, price, promotion. A product must have an international brand and we have to make sure our place is the best,” he said during a press conference after the launch.

Gerber agreed with the assertion that by opening up its first presence in Malaysia, TUI Blue can also leverage off its fleet of aircrafts and cruise ships to promote Ipoh to its clientele, particularly the German outbound market.

Germany is among the top outbound destinations for tourism in Europe and despite signs of recession, Gerber is confident that tourism is one area which can grow.

“Last year, was a record year for the TUI group,” said Gerber.

But before the market can open up in Perak, Gerber stressed on the importance in branding Ipoh’s strengths first.

“We now have the product (The Haven), we now need to conduct more promotions and marketing to lure more tourists over,” said Gerber.

Chan, is the indomitable force behind the skyscraper – The Haven, who despite protests from the real estate community, he went ahead to construct a resort amidst limestone hills and largely in the middle of nowhere in Tambun.

But the resort with 150 suite rooms, have grown from strength to strength, and the rebranding of it with the tie up with the TUI Blue, marks another chapter in Chan’s unrelenting vision for the property he helped built here.

Chan expects TUI to brand the Haven well enough to boost its occupancy rates and to tap the food and beverage delights, which the Perakians are proud of.

As for the collaboration with TUI, Chan said that TUI sent 17 of its staff and added The Haven in its marketing channel.