9 February 2001
When the idea of having a French-themed village in the Pahang highlands was mooted a few years back, many sceptics wondered who would want to visit such a place when they could go to the real Colmar.
Others felt it would be more appropriate to build something along more Malaysian lines.
Nevertheless the investors went ahead and Colmar Tropicale, the mini-replica of Colmar City in France, opened its doors last July 14 with a big bang. Its opening coincided with Bastille Day and the French Embassy in Malaysia reserved the entire square to celebrate the occasion. About 1,000 people turned up for the event.
Colmar, a small town on the border of France and Germany, is known for its churches, half-timbered houses, facades with ornate wood sculptures, paintings and edifices from the Renaissance period.
In the same way, Colmar Tropicale in Bukit Tinggi, a highland resort about 1,370 metres above sea level, exudes a French atmosphere. Within the village are 260 units of accommodation comprising hotel rooms and one-to six-bedroom suites housed in eight blocks. Each block is named after a flower and is built along the lines of architecture reminiscent of 16th century France.
To date 210 rooms have opened with the balance to come on line by March. Also opening then will be a ballroom to seat 300 pax. There are eight food and beverage outlets within the resort.
To further lend authenticity to the village, the developer engaged the services of several French citizens – they included the general manager, Philippe Le Francois, chefs and a
juggler who performs in the square.
The cobblestone Colmar Square is also another of the resort’s unique feature. It has a fountain, wishing well, cuckoo clock tower which was designed after the Riquewihr Tower in Alsace, France, and the viewing tower. A drawbridge links the entrance to the main façade. Within the square are 17 themed shops and sidewalk cafes.
Colmar Tropicale’s assistant director of sales, Yvonne Lim, said that on weekends the resort runs between 80 and 90 percent occupancy and between 30 and 50 percent on weekdays. The average room rate is RM280 (US$74).
The main markets are Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, the Middle East and Europe.
“Colmar is popular with these markets as it has facilities to cater to various groups, from leisure to honeymooners to incentives. It is the perfect destination for round trips within Malaysia as well as for stopovers for European tourists,” said Lim.
Another plus point is its vicinity to Kuala Lumpur which is about 45 minutes away by car and less than two hours from the KL International Airport in Sepang.
Future developments will include a French castle with 200 hotel apartments and the Colmar Convention Centre with capacity for 1,000 pax. Both projects are expected to be completed within the next two years.
“When these are opened, Colmar can be used as the lead to promote Bukit Tinggi as a single destination within Malaysia,” said Lim.
Comar is part of the integrated Bukit Tinggi Resort complex, conceived in 1990. It comprises a 18-hour golf course, a Japanese village with a tea house and Merapti Park Suites.
The resort is a joint venture between Tan Sri Vincent Tan of the Berjaya Group, PASDEC Holdings (the Pahang state investment arm) and several individuals. It is managed by Berjaya Hotels and Resorts, the leisure arm of Berjaya Land.
Contacts:
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 60 3 242 9611 fax: 60 3 244 2527
Website: www.berjayaresorts.com