Predominantly Muslim Malaysia has taken on a sharp surge in Arab tourists this summer as escalating tension hit Lebanon and one resort that is looking to benefit is Genting. The privately-held resort in the country’s central Cameron Highlands is home to the nation’s only legal casino and therefore attracts a bevy of tourists. Genting Highland Resort has also benefited from its position at this hill station.

The resort also looks set to profit from the rise in Arab visitors. Travellers to Malaysia from the Gulf, rose 17 percent to 147,646 last year and it is expected to soar 35% to 200,000 this year, according to tourism officials.

It helps that after over 40 years in existence that Genting, which is about 45 minutes from Kuala Lumpur, has consistently harvested a series of international accolades.

The most recent being the World’s Leading Casino Resort and Asia’s Leading Casino Resort, which were conferred last year by the World Travel Awards - Genting has proven that scaling higher peaks comes naturally.

True to its tagline as a “City of Entertainment”, Genting still offers a mind-boggling array of experiences for holiday makers with a wide variety of budgets.

Its newly acquired Maxims Club - a high rollers’ club brand acquired from London - Genting is also catering to the growing population of international high rollers, including those holiday makers from the Middle East.

Genting’s reputation is also growing as an event venue, not just for entertainment, but for top-flight events too. It is one of the few places in the region to offer a one-stop MICE facility with almost everything under its roof.

Genting has also been trying to expand beyond the Cameron Highlands. The group bid against Las Vegas Sands, Harrah’s Entertainment and Keppel Land to develop Singapore’s first casino-resort.

Las Vegas Sands beat out three rivals with a bid of S$5 billion (US$3.16 billion).

The Genting Highland Resort is being nominated at this year’s World Travel Awards in the category of Asia’s Leading Casino Resort. 
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