Asian
hospitality chain Meritus Hotels & Resorts has signed a MoU with
Funtasy Island Development for the management of a deluxe resort on
Funtasy Island in Indonesia’s Riau Islands, 16 kilometres south of
Singapore.
The
development is envisioned to be the largest eco-theme park and the
first gated island community in the world when it opens in 2014.
Meritus
marketing representative in Australia, Randall Lui, said that Funtasy
Island would comprise a 200-room condotel, a 230-suite hotel, and a
total of 413-unit villas along with retail, convention, dining and
recreational facilities on 810 acres of pristine tropical islands
situated between Batam and Singapore.
The
island will be accessible by a 20-minute luxury yacht or ferry ride
from the Harbourfront ferry terminal.
The
island is approximately two-thirds the size of Sentosa Island, with
70% of its total area being preserved as a nature sanctuary.
Eco-themed activities will include aquaculture tours in the
surrounding waters as well as nature trails, allowing visitors to
explore the island’s unspoiled environment.
When
completed Funtasy Island will be the first development of its kind
near Singapore, keeping holidaymakers and corporate travellers close
to attractions such as Universal Studios, Resorts World, Marina Bay
Sands, and Orchard Road, whilst enjoying the natural seclusion of a
private island.
Speaking
at the signing ceremony, Mr Chua Tian Chu, Meritus deputy CEO, said:
“We are thrilled to be partnering with Funtasy Island Development
in bringing this one-of-a-kind resort development into the
international limelight.
“We
are adding signature brand of Asian hospitality and over 40 years of
proven hotel management expertise and are uniquely positioned to
drive the product and service offerings of Funtasy Island’s hotel
and villas.”
Mr
Michael Yong, Fantasy managing director, added: “This landmark
development is our first response to the growing demand for
eco-tourism, as well as the fulfilment of our very own vision of the
largest eco theme park in the world - exposing more travellers to the
rich and incomparable experience of natural island living.”
