As a pioneer with a responsible vision, Club Med aims to show the way towards a more sustainable thus more desirable tourism.
With the pandemic affecting the tourism industry, Club Med has managed to stay afloat despite the long lockdowns in Malaysia.
We recently had an interview with Senior Vice-President for Commercial Southeast Asia (SEA) and Marketing Asia Pacific (APAC) Club Med, Vincent Ong, on the future of Club Med in Asia
Vincent shared details about the travel industry and what it would mean to this part of SEA as this iconic holiday brand continues to expand despite the chaos of COVID19.
How did Club Med Cherating manage during the pandemic
In line with local restrictions that were imposed during the various stages of the Movement Control Orders, Club Med Cherating decided to close temporarily coinciding with border closures and travel bans that were enforced in a move to curb the spread of Covid-19. We made use of the time to conduct internal training and enhance the skills of our Gentils Organisateurs (G.O.) so that we can better serve guests in anticipation of the travel rebound, which we knew would come at full speed as states begin showing signs of recovery against the pandemic.
What are the safety measures implemented at the resort
With Covid-19 persisting in the form of potentially harmful mutations, the fear of the virus during vacations can be a cause of concern. At Club Med Cherating, we are committed to protecting our guests and making sure they can enjoy the dream holiday they’ve been waiting for. As such, all stays from now till December 2023 will be covered by our COVID-19 insurance coverage while travelling with us.
Club Med’s all-inclusive holiday formula naturally produces a “Club Med Cocoon” of self-sufficient facilities and activities. With frequent sanitization of our public areas and safe distancing measures in place, guests can be confident when they book a holiday at Club Med Cherating.
Our Safe Together programme, which has been in place since last year, provides reassurance that your safety is our priority. We have taken steps including improving digital services to limit lines, providing more single plated dishes, and providing thorough training for staff in all hygiene and safety measures.
How has Club Med Cherating evolved
Club Med Cherating has evolved to be among the best and safest holiday destinations with the aforementioned hygiene and safety protocols in place at the resort. While the resort is currently experiencing an encouraging wave of domestic guests coming in to enjoy the Club Med experience, we are hoping to see more international guests moving forward as Malaysian borders are open and vaccinated travel lanes are introduced. Apart from the many activities to be enjoyed at Club Med Cherating, there will also be new offerings on the table such as aerial yoga. We acknowledge that people are keen to indulge in our various activities in wide-open spaces and with the advantage of being close to nature, the resort has adapted indoor activities and enabled them to be conducted in an outdoor setting.
What are your future plans
Come 2023, Club Med will be opening our first SEA greenfield beach resort in Borneo, Kota Kinabalu, in close collaboration with owners of Golden Sands Beach Resort City. The 41-acre Club Med Borneo Kota Kinabalu resort will reveal a brand-new destination, encapsulating the beauty and potential of Sabah. Club Med is confident in our mission to showcase the untapped potential of this stunning location, strategically located a mere six hours from key Asian markets.
Are there any expansion plans in Malaysia and Asia
Yes, we are targeting Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia as destinations that are well-positioned to leverage this travel rebound happening at the moment and we are on the lookout for investors and partners to tap into the potential of these destinations. The pandemic also presented an opportunity for us to refine operations and enhance safety measures in preparation for a stronger rebound for our resorts within the region.
