Cyberview manager on expansion trail

KUALA LUMPUR: Cynerview Lodge operator Ri-Yaz Hotels and Resorts aims to leverage on its well earned reputation as a luxury resort manager to tap potentials in oil-rich Gulf nations, after signing on to manage an upmarket resort in Langkawi yesterday.

“We are in talks with our biggest prospect in Qatar and have selected Doha as our choice to enter the Middle East market,” said Ri-Yaz managing director Datuk Shaheen Shah.

The company hopes to complete negotiation with Qatar counterparts by year end, New Delhi and Phuket have been planned for future expansion.

“We also plan to invest RM180 million to purchase a plot in Tuaran, Sabah,” said Shaheen, adding that the firm now has a 240-room inventory and aims to have this figure grow to 1,000 within the next three years.

The luxury resort portfolio for Ri-Yaz includes the Pure Villas in Canggu Bali, Indonesia. Locally, it manages the Ri-Yaz Heritage Marina Resort and Spa in Terengganu, Belum Rainforest Resort in Perak and flagship Cyberview Resort and Spa in Cyberjaya.

At yesterday’s signing for Ri-Yaz to manage the RM380 million Rahsia Estates Resort Residences and Spa in Langkawi, the latter’s chief executive officer Hanizah Abdul Hamid said: “We searched for a suitable resort operator and found Ri-Yaz to be comparable to many internationally-renowned hospitality management chains.”