SINGAPORE (Sept 26): Keong Hong Holdings yesterday saw the launch of Mercure Maldives Kooddoo Hotel, the first overseas hotel development to join the group’s two hotels in Singapore along with its overseas property investments.

The hotel was developed by a joint venture (JV) company Pristine Island Investment, which was set up between the group’s wholly-owned subsidiary Keong Hong Construction and its JV partners Sansui Holding, BRC Asia, and L3 Development.

It is managed by the Accor group, and features 68 villas with 43 located over water.

Mercure Maldives Kooddoo Hotel's grand opening on Monday was attended by President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom of the Republic of Maldives, as well as Singapore’s non-resident ambassador to the Republic of Maldives, Chua Thian Poh.

Taking place on the same day was the grand opening of the expanded Kooddoo Airport, which had completed its extended airport runway from 1200m to 1800m and from category 2C to 3C, enabling the airport to serve private jets, says the group in a press release on Tuesday.

Construction of the airport expansion, which commenced in July 2014, was undertaken by another subsidiary of Keong Hong, KHA Resorts & Hotels Construction (Maldives).

“The opening of Mercure Maldives Kooddoo Hotel and the expanded Kooddoo Airport will bring holidaymakers to the beautiful Gaafu Alifu Atoll and create many job opportunities for the local Maldivians. Kooddoo Airport serves as a gateway to the southern atolls and we intend to keep improving facilities at the airport to meet future demand,” says Keong Hong’s chairman and CEO, Ronald Leo.

Expressing positivity on the outlook for tourism investments in Maldives given strong visitor arrivals from Europe and Asia Pacific, Leo adds that he looks forward to the opening of the group’s second hotel property in the Maldives, Pullman Maldives Maamutaa Resort, in 2019.

Shares in Keong Hong closed 1 cent higher at 48 cents on Monday.

This story, written by Michelle Zhu, first appeared on The Edge Singapore.