Genting Highlands as we know it will soon be no more.
Yes you’ve heard it right: Resorts World Genting is getting a massive makeover in 2016, when Twentieth Century Fox World is set to open and essentially replace the 35 year old resort in Genting Highlands.
Based on some of your favorite movies from Fox like Ice Age, A Night at the Museum, The Life of Pi, Alien vs Predator, and Planet of the Apes, there will more than 25 thrilling rides and attractions at the theme park, which from the looks of it, will be leagues away from the current Genting Highlands in terms of attractiveness. Even as it is currently, Genting Highlands attracts around 20 million visitors to its resort every year.
At the groundbreaking ceremony on Tuesday, which was attended by Malaysian prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, Genting Malaysia’s chairman Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay announced that they are investing $300 million into the business venture in partnership with Twentieth Century Fox Consumer Products.
The development of Twentieth Century Fox World is part of the RM5 billion Genting Integrated Tourism Plan. Other expansion plans for Genting include a new cable car station, a new 10,000 seat arena and new hotels, and also a proposed premium shopping area similar to Johor Premium Outlets to be named Genting Premium Outlets.
Why are there so many theme parks popping up around the region you may wonder? South East Asia is experiencing a huge increase in popularity with tourists, with arrivals growing by 12% in 2013. Malaysia is currently already the 9th most visited country in the world, with 24.7 million international visitors a year, and in Asia we are only second to China.
When coupled with the Genting Malaysia conglomerate’s wide experience and success in opening and managing numerous resorts around the world and theme parks like Universal Studios Singapore, Genting Highlands a very logical choice.
With already 3 big name theme parks under the Southeast Asian belt, namely Universal Studios in Sentosa, Singapore, Legoland in Johor Bahru, and the Cartoon Network Amazone water park in Bang Saray, Thailand which is opening in 2014, it seems like we are set to become the next Gold Coast of the region.
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