Rock Tune for 2009

Now that Penang is in the top lists for tourist stops in 2009 (following the top rank in New York Times 44 Places to Go in 2009, and the UNESCO's Heritage Site inclusion in 2008) , it's only natural that there will be more hotels opening very soon in Penang's hotspots. And while Penang is a definite next target for the Tony Fernandes & co for new airport and hotel off his Air Asia & Tune ventures, with the already completed Tune Hotel at Jalan Burmah to open as early as 1st of April 2009, the first Malaysia's Hard Rock Hotel (HRH, minus the casino) on the island will surely resonate a deep vibe for Penang's locals and visitors.

When this Hard Rock Penang (Hard Rock's 10th hotel worldwide) opens in Batu Feringhi by mid 2009, Penang will join only two hosts in Asia - Bali (Indonesia) and Pattaya (Thailand), to host these Seminole Tribe of Florida-owned (the 1971-established Hard Rock brand, since March 2007) popular hotels, first popularized in the United States destinations of Las Vegas (first to open, in 1995), Biloxi, Kansas City (pending), Tampa and Hollywood (Florida).

Besides Penang, another HRH is planned to open in Macau this year, with Palm Springs, Atlanta and Panama to follow, scheduled for 2010; Dubai, scheduled to open in 2011; and Abu Dhabi, scheduled to open in 2012.

Read on the press releases on Hard Rock Penang (since 2007):-

HPL HOTELS & RESORTS
50 Cuscaden Road
#05-02 HPL House
Singapore 249724
Tel: (65) 6735 2811
Fax: (65) 6235 3216
Email: corporate@hplhotels.com
Website: www.hplhotels.com
Member of the HPL Group
CO. REG. NO. 199704528Z

Hard Rock International and HPL Hotels & Resorts Announce Development of Hard Rock Hotel Penang

Innovators In Hotel Property Development To Deliver Unprecedented Four-Star, Luxury To Exotic Malaysian Resort Setting

Orlando, FL – October 27, 2007 – Hard Rock International and Hotel Properties Limited (HPL) announced
today their plans to develop a Hard Rock Hotel in Penang, Malaysia. Hard Rock Hotel Penang will be a luxury
resort situated along the famous beaches of Batu Ferringhi, hailed as the Pearl of the Orient. The property,
which aims to infuse new excitement and energy into the market, underscores resurgence in tourism and
reflects Hard Rock’s strategy to accelerate expansion of the brand worldwide.

The resort is situated on nearly five acres of land with approximately two miles of magnificent beachfront on
one of Asia’s most popular island destinations. Coupled with Hard Rock’s tradition of providing luxury,
quality service and amenities with a unique rock ‘n’ roll edge, this destination resort will bring a unique
entertainment element the island has yet to offer.

“We plan to continue our Asian expansion of the Hard Rock brand with unique, new properties – including
urban hotel and destination resorts and cafes,” commented Hamish Dodds, President and CEO, Hard Rock
International. “We have a long standing and successful partnership with HPL Hotels & Resorts through the
Hard Rock Hotel properties in Bali and Pattaya.”

Through a major renovation of the existing property, HPL Hotels & Resorts will completely revamp the
existing five-story main building, add additional rooms and maintain one of the two current beachfront
bungalows, converting it into a full service luxury spa. The renovation and expansion will increase
guestroom keys from 180 to 255, configured as mostly deluxe rooms with hill, sea, garden or lagoon views.
There will also be nine studio suites and one Kings’ suite. Four food and beverage outlets are planned for the
resort, which will include a Hard Rock Cafe, an all-day dining restaurant and a bar/lounge. The resort’s main
ballroom and three function rooms offer a total of 5,700 square feet for private events and the meetings,
incentives, corporate and exhibitions clientele. Additionally, there will be a fully equipped gym and a
specialized kids' club.

A main trademark of the Hard Rock Hotel experience, Hard Rock Hotel Penang will feature an incredible
oversized free-form pool, totaling 25,833 square feet, replete with sand islands and luxurious poolside
cabanas.

“Penang has eagerly anticipated the entry of an energetic and adventurous hotel brand such as Hard Rock,”
says Stephen Lau, Chairman of HPL Hotels & Resorts. “Our company’s projected growth strategy is to
continue to open more resorts and hotels in key Asia-Pacific cities that, in partnership with like-minded
associates, will assure our guests a satisfying level of comfort backed by personalized service. Hard Rock
Hotel Penang could not be more perfect.”

“The Seminole Tribe of Florida is thrilled about further Hard Rock development in Southeast Asia,” notes Max
Osceola Jr., Member of the Seminole Tribal Council, “It’s a testament to the brand that we have such
incredible strategic partners and ample opportunity for global growth in such interesting locations. We are
looking forward to this groundbreaking new property.”
Declared as “Visit Malaysia Year” by the Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, Malaysia is
expecting an increase in the number of tourist arrivals to reach approximately 20 million in 2007; up from
17.5 million in 2006. With the “Visit Malaysia Year” 2007 campaign and the State’s efforts to bring back the
glory days of tourism to Penang, the island is expected to see a major resurgence in leisure, transient and
business travel with robust gains in overall occupancy and average rates.

~ The End ~

About Hard Rock International
With 122 high-energy Hard Rock Cafes and eight Hotels/Casinos in 47 countries, Hard Rock International is
one of the world’s most globally recognized brands. Beginning with an Eric Clapton guitar, Hard Rock owns
the world’s greatest collection of music memorabilia, which is displayed at its locations around the globe.
Hard Rock is also known for its collectible fashion and music-related merchandise, Hard Rock Live
performance venues and an award-winning website. In addition to the two flagship Seminole Hard Rock
Hotels and Casinos in Tampa and Hollywood, Fla., Hard Rock Hotels/Casinos are located in Las Vegas, Biloxi,
Orlando, Chicago, Pattaya and Bali, with San Diego scheduled to open later in 2007. Additional hotel and
casino projects have been announced in Macau, scheduled to open in 2009, and Palm Springs, scheduled to
open in 2010. Hard Rock International, Inc. is owned by Seminole Hard Rock Entertainment, Inc. For more
information on Hard Rock, visit www.hardrock.com.

About HPL Hotels & Resorts
Headquartered in Singapore, HPL Hotels & Resorts currently manages the activities of eight hotels and
resorts in the Asia-Pacific region. These include Concorde Hotel Kuala Lumpur, Concorde Hotel Shah Alam,
Concorde Inn Kuala Lumpur International Airport, Hard Rock Hotels in Bali – Indonesia and Pattaya –
Thailand, Casa del Mar in Langkawi – Malaysia, The Lakehouse in Cameron Highlands – Malaysia and Rihiveli
Beach Resort in Maldives.

Contacts:

Dan Klores Communications

Marissa Mastellone
212-981-5210 (office)
Marissa_mastellone@dkcnews.com
HPL Hotels & Resorts

Karen Chan
(65) 6731 4902
karen.chan@hplhotels.com


Penang Gets Ready to Rock with the Opening of Malaysia’s 1st Hard Rock Hotel

22nd January 2008, Singapore – Come 2009, the tropical island of Penang will be rocking and rolling
with vibes when Malaysia’s first Hard Rock Hotel throws opens its doors. The property, which is
currently undergoing construction, will deliver a unique product which aims to infuse new excitement and
energy into the popular holiday destination.

HPL Hotels & Resorts currently manages eight properties in Asia Pacific and the Indian Ocean. These
include Concorde Hotel Kuala Lumpur, Concorde Hotel Shah Alam, Concorde Inn Kuala Lumpur
International Airport, Hard Rock Hotel Bali, Hard Rock Hotel Pattaya, Casa del Mar – Langkawi, The
Lakehouse – Cameron Highlands and Rihiveli Beach Resort – Maldives and Kandooma – Maldives,
which is due to open in mid 2008. Hard Rock Hotel Penang is the third Hard Rock Hotel in Asia and also
the third to be managed by HPL Hotels & Resorts, with the other two being Bali, Indonesia and Pattaya,
Thailand.

Fronting the beautiful beaches of Batu Ferringhi, Hard Rock Hotel Penang will offer 252 musically-
themed guestrooms, with most configured as deluxe rooms with sea, hill, and garden views; the lagoon
view rooms come with direct pool access. There will also be nine studio suites and one Kings’ suite.

Four food and beverage outlets are planned for the resort, which will include a Hard Rock Cafe, an all-
day dining restaurant and a bar/lounge. Facilities include a full service luxury spa, a fully equipped gym, a
specialized Lil’ Rock Kids Club, and a Hard Rock merchandise store. Hard Rock Hotel Penang will also
offer guests a main trademark of the Hard Rock Hotel experience, that is, an incredible oversized free-
form pool totaling 2,400 square metres, complete with sand islands, water slides and poolside cabanas.

According to Ms Karen Chan, Marketing Communications Manager for HPL Hotels & Resorts, Hard
Rock Hotel Penang will add a new entertainment dimension to the holiday destination. She said: “The
Hard Rock culture is about being irreverent and living for the moment, so you can expect Hard Rock
Hotel Penang to offer an experience that abounds with limitless energy, unparalleled creativity and
quality service … very different from the typical sun, sand and sea vacation.”

The resort will not only to appeal to both leisure and family travel, but also to corporate meetings. With a
variety of indoor and outdoor function spaces housed in a marquee garden ballroom, pre-function garden
area, and three meeting rooms, this rock ’n’ roll sanctuary will no doubt be popular with many corporate
planners.

Penang is served by many international airlines and is easily accessible from major cities in the world.
Situated about 45 minutes away by road from the Penang International Airport, Hard Rock Hotel Penang
is also just 30 minutes from Georgetown, the capital city of Penang. The island can also be reached by
road via the Penang Bridge which links it to the mainland of Peninsular Malaysia.

~ End ~

About HPL Hotels & Resorts

Headquartered in Singapore, HPL Hotels & Resorts is a hospitality management company, operated and
wholly owned by a Singapore main-board listed, Hotel Properties Limited (HPL). HPL Hotels & Resorts
currently manages eight properties in Asia Pacific and the Indian Ocean, with another two new properties
scheduled to open in the next two years. With more than 2,127 rooms, the brands include city hotels,
beach resorts, boutique properties and hillside retreat, each with its own unique style and character,
offering distinct experiences ranging from lifestyle and themed concepts to adventure and eco-tourism.
For more information, visit www.hplhotels.com.

For media enquiries, please contact:

Karen Chan – Marketing Communications Manager
T: (65) 6731 4902


HPL Hotels & Resorts appoints General Manager to open Hard Rock Hotel Penang

12 January 2009, Singapore – HPL Hotels & Resorts is pleased to announce the
appointment of John Primmer as General Manager for Hard Rock Hotel Penang.
A New Zealand national, Primmer has 27 years of hospitality experience, having held senior
management positions in Malaysia, New Zealand, Australia and United Kingdom for the past
17 years. He was previously the General Manager of James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor
Wellington New Zealand.

Mr Greg Lee, Vice President – Operations of HPL Hotels & Resorts notes, “Primmer has a
wealth of experience in managing hotels. His experience and strong track record will be vital
in delivering the Hard Rock brand in Malaysia.”
Scheduled to open in mid-2009, Hard Rock Penang will be the first musically themed resort
in Malaysia, which aims to infuse new excitement and energy into the popular holiday
destination. Most of the 249 guestrooms are configured as deluxe rooms with sea views;
while the lagoon deluxe rooms come with direct pool access off the guest balconies.

Five food and beverage establishments are planned for the resort, which will include a Hard
Rock Café, an all-day dining restaurant, pizzeria, poolside bar and lounge. Facilities include
a full service luxury spa, a fully equipped gym, a specialised Lil’ Rock Kids Club, Teens club,
Hard Rock merchandise stores, and a 26,000 sq ft free-form swimming pool – the largest
pool in Penang.

The resort will appeal to both leisure / family travel, as well as to corporate meetings. With a
variety of indoor and outdoor function facilities including a marquee garden ballroom, pre-
function garden area, and three meeting rooms, this rock n’ roll sanctuary will be a popular
preference among many corporate meeting planners.

~ End ~

John Primmer, the newly appointed general manager at Hard Rock Hotel Penang.

For media enquiries, please contact:

Angeline Loh | Marketing Communications Manager | HPL Hotels & Resorts
Email: angeline.loh@hplhotels.com | Tel: (65) 6731 4902 | Fax: (65) 6235 3216

OR

Betty Lim | Director of Sales & Marketing | Hard Rock Hotel Penang
Email: betty.lim@hardrockhotels.net | Tel: 6 (04) 881 1711 | Fax: 6 (04) 881 2155

ABOUT HPL HOTELS & RESORTS
Headquartered in Singapore, HPL Hotels & Resorts is a hospitality management company,
operated and wholly-owned by a Singapore main-board listed, Hotel Properties Limited (HPL).
HPL Hotels & Resorts currently manages the activities of 11 hotels and resorts in Asia Pacific
and the Indian Ocean. These include Concorde Hotel Singapore, Concorde Hotel Kuala Lumpur,
Concorde Hotel Shah Alam, Concorde Inn Kuala Lumpur International Airport, Hard Rock Hotel
Bali, Hard Rock Hotel Pattaya, Hard Rock Hotel Penang, Casa del Mar, Langkawi, The
Lakehouse, Cameron Highlands, Rihiveli Beach Resort, Maldives and Kandooma~Maldives.
For more information, please visit www.hplhotels.com.

Another airport terminal soon...

PENANG: Low-cost carrier AirAsia Bhd is looking at Penang as a potential hub for a low-cost carrier terminal (LCCT). It is learnt that group chief executive officer Datuk Seri Tony Fernandes made a case to the Penang government to build the terminal and the authorities are keen on his proposal.

Sources said the proposed LCCT in Penang would be independent from the budget air terminal that AirAsia wants to build in Labu, Negri Sembilan.

The proposed Penang terminal has been priced at RM120 million, excluding the cost of land, said sources.

At a presentation made on Tuesday to Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, elected representatives, industrialists along with selected government and quasi-government agencies in Penang, Fernandes did not indicate how much land was needed for the LCCT.
However, he proposed two sites which are aligned with the Penang International Airport at Bayan Lepas. The land, however, does not belong to the state government.

During the briefing at Lim's office at Kompleks Tun Abdul Razak in George Town, Fernandes stressed the need for AirAsia to find sufficient parking bays at night for his aircraft and the fact that there would be a problem soon when the airline took delivery of additional planes.

"By offering point-to-point flights from various hubs, AirAsia will be able to solve its parking issue while Penang will benefit via the coverage of direct flights serviced by AirAsia," said a source.

Apart from Malaysia Airlines, which offers direct international flights from Penang to selected destinations, other carriers using the airport include AirAsia, Cathay Pacific, Thai Airways International, Lion Air, Singapore Airlines, China Southern Airlines, China Airlines, Firefly, Kartika Airlines and Sriwijaya Air.

AirAsia began flying into Penang in 2002 and offers direct flights to cities in Thailand and Indonesia.

Fernandes declined to comment on the matter, while Lim could not be reached.

In 2007, the Penang government gave conditional approval to LC Airfields Sdn Bhd to set up a low-cost carrier terminal on the island.

Business Times had reported that the proposed LCCT would likely be sited north of the passenger terminal building in Bayan Lepas, and that AirAsia had asked for rights to be the licensed operator of the new terminal in order to keep costs low.

The Penang International Airport was expanded in 2001 to accommodate an annual capacity of five million passengers.

In reality, the airport can accommodate only slightly more than three million passengers a year because space meant for transit passengers has been leased to duty-free shops.

SOURCE: NST Online - AirAsia lobbies Penang for LCCT

Penang is in the New York Times' List of 44 Places to Go in 2009

Penang has not only made it to this prestigious list that was first published online on January 11th, 2009, but the 22nd-ranked place by the Times (and the only place in Malaysia in this year's list noted specifically on its "Foodie and Frugal" features) is currently being voted as the 2nd most recommended by its online readers - behind only to Beirut, and Sorry Melaka...**, try again next time!! ;)

If you're a Penangite, or Malaysian where ever you are, or if you love Penang no matter where you are from, welcome to contribute an additional vote to this one special place... ;) Go to this New York Times web page to vote or read more: http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2009/01/11/travel/20090111_DESTINATIONS.html - the list was compiled by Seth Sherwood and Gisela Williams.

** Penang is the second smallest state in Malaysia, mainly consisting of an island filled with nice beaches and classic 18th and early 19th century buildings, and a strip of highly developed land on the mainland of the Malaysian peninsular. George Town, the capital 'city' of Penang, situated in the north-east tip of Penang Island has been recently accepted into the famed UNESCO's World Heritage Site List (along with Melaka as "the Historic Cities of the Straits of Malacca").

Bahasa Menunjukkan Bangsa! - Anak Pulau Pinang

Tourists Not Bothered By Road Name Issue

By Lizawati Bahanan

PULAU PINANG, Dec 15 (Bernama) -- In one of his classic movies, 'Seniman Bujang Lapok', Tan Sri Dr P. Ramlee had uttered the phrase "bahasa menunjukkan bangsa" (language identifies the race).

That was a flashback to the early 1960s and among the most recent issue with regards to Bahasa Melayu were the claims that the use of various languages for road names and signboards in Georgetown would attract more tourists to the world heritage town.

However that appears not to hold water.

What actually drew foreign tourists to this island is Pulau Pinang's tourism products themselves.

Most of the times, the tourists do not even bother about the languages used on the signboards or for road names and public spots.

They would arrive at their destinations assisted by taxi drivers and people on the streets.

A recent Bernama check found that foreign tourists as well as the local folks were not really disturbed over which language being used for road names and public sites.

According to those approached, the language is not a significant factor but Pulau Pinang's image as a tourist destination is all that matters.

SINGAPORE VISITOR

A tourist from Singapore, Suriati Misnan, 31, said she came to Pulau Pinang as she was drawn by the beauty of its beaches particularly that at Batu Feringhi.

"I do not even notice the existence of multi-lingual signages here.

"I came here because of Pulau Pinang's majestic beaches and to sample the exotic food here," said Suriati who had also used her trip to the Pearl of the Orient to visit her relatives.

A German tourist and his wife said they had no problems visiting tourism destinations in Georgetown despite the signages being in Bahasa Melayu.

They said the language used posed no difficulties for tourists as adequate information on Georgetown's attractions was available at the hotels as well as in the Internet.

"Malaysians should be proud with their culture and language. Bahasa Melayu is unique and I and my wife also learn how to speak Malay before we came to Malaysia," said Werner Kohler, 45.

Kohler, who is an engineer with an international firm and his 39-year-old wife Sabine, decided to visit Pulau Pinang after learning from a website about the island's delicious food and enchanting places.

WHAT THE LOCALS SAY?

Several Georgetown folks said the language issue over the name of roads and other signages here has been blown out of proportion.

"It is mere politics. There are no problems if the authorities retain Bahasa Melayu on the signages. Before this, many tourists came visiting and they still come now," said Mikhail Hassan Basri .

Instead, the authorities should use the funds to improve Georgetown's tourism products, said the 33-year-old souvenir stall operator at Batu Feringhi.

Meanwhile, Universiti Sains Malaysia's (USM) lecturer on human sciences, Datuk Prof Md Salleh Yaapar said only the national language that is Bahasa Melayu should be used for the signages.

But, the Pulau Pinang government could put up various languages at signboards at the Georgetown's world heritage site for the convenience of tourists.

"If the purpose is to provide information on certain heritage structures like the Khoo Kongsi or Masjid Kapitan Keling, then it could in various languages.

"The names of roads should be in Bahasa Melayu, like what is the practice in other nations where they retain the usage of their mother tongue," he said.

BAHASA MELAYU STILL RETAINED

On Oct 24, the Pulau Pinang State Government passed a regulation that allows the use of various languages on signages at Georgetown's heritage sites as part of efforts to lure more tourists to the island.

The move drew flak from a number of parties including non-government organisations (NGOs), language activists and historians.

However Pulau Pinang Municipal Council (MPPP) President, Datuk Zainal Rahim Seman, when approached at a recent function here, stressed that Bahasa Melayu is retained as the major language on these signages.

"Bahasa Melayu is used, at the top most part of the signage while other languages like Chinese or Tamil as well as the Jawi scripts are written underneath," he said.

At the end of last November, the state authorities went ahead with the move to have multi-lingual signs of road names at Georgetown's heritage sites despite strong protests from various quarters.

Is the move worth the efforts? The public would have to wait and see.

-- BERNAMA

Penang has it ALL...

A photo = a thousand words.
A video = a milion words?



Nuff said...