GENTING HIGHLANDS, Dec 17 — Datuk Seri Najib Razak believes that the Genting Integrated Tourism Plan (GITP) will help to address the regional economic imbalance in infrastructure and encourage both local and foreign investment flow into the East Coast Economic Region (ECER).

In addition, the prime minister said the RM5-billion transformation project would provide both high arrivals and high yield to boost the economy in addition to creating thousands of job opportunities.

“I foresee Genting’s transformation plan in the integrated resorts segment as a trendsetter and the start of a new era for the tourism industry in Malaysia.

“I believe all Malaysians are waiting with great anticipation to see the new dimensions of entertainment that Genting will unfold for the delight and pleasure of its clientele,” he said when launching the GITP and 20th Century Fox World at Genting Grand Hotel here today.

Also present were Genting Malaysia chairman and chief executive Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay and 20th Century Fox Consumer Products president Jeffrey Godsick.

The GITP is a major 10-year master plan for development, expansion, enhancement and refurbishment of hotels, theme park and infrastructure at Resorts World Genting.

The plan, which will be carried out in phases, includes the development of the first-ever RM1 billion 20th Century Fox World theme park, set to open in 2016, and the proposed establishment of Genting Premium Outlets.

Najib said Genting’s transformation plan, which encompassed the opening of the 10-hectare theme park and planned second Premium Outlet Centre in South East Asia, was a prime example of private sector participation under the Economic Transformation Programme (ETP).

“Under the ETP, we expect to see the private sector assuming the lead role in fulfilling the growth targets set under the programme.

“Instead of focusing only on the number of visitors, we must look at ways of improving tourism receipts and providing value-added products and services to boost tourist spending,” he said.

Looking beyond Visit Malaysia 2014, Najib said the government was taking measures to improve and upgrade tourist offerings and services to enhance the country’s connectivity to key priority markets.

“As such we continue to seek the cooperation of Malaysian companies involved in the hospitality and tourism business to work together with relevant government bodies to ensure that Malaysia as a whole increases its overall competitiveness in this industry.

“At the same time, we must be flexible, creative and prepared to adapt to uncertainties that may demonstrate against the resilience of the tourism industry,” he said. — Bernama