BANJARAN HOTSPRINGS PLANS ORGANIC FARM
Endeavour will involve RM2m capital injection, says general manager
THE Banjaran Hotsprings Retreat, Sunway Group’s hospitality arm in Ipoh, plans to start its own organic farm on a 30ha site by the end of this year.
General manager Castaldi Alex Rosario said the plan, in line with the parent company’s sustainability practices, would involve a capital injection of RM2 million.
He said while this was still in the planning stage, the idea to grow organic produce that could
be used in the wellness retreat had always been there, besides the option of supplying the local market.
“This organic farm will benefit our guests, locals who work here and the community.”
The 6.8ha Banjaran luxury retreat was built at a cost of RM73.4 million.
It features 45 garden, water and lake villas surrounded by 260 million-year-old limestone hills, caves and verdant forest.
Of that, 20 units of lake villas costing RM20 million were launched last year, in addition to the RM1.5 million Sky Bar in a cave overlooking the lake.
Rosario said the management spent RM1.5 million a year to maintain the resort.
“We do invest every year to maintain the resort to keep up with its top standards.”
The Banjaran has about 30ha of landbank for future development and expansion.
“We have seen occupancy growing in the first two months of the year. The resort is building new and bigger meeting rooms and they will be ready this year to cater for larger corporate events,” said Rosario, adding that the resort had been quite popular with corporates in the last few years.
He is also working on an idea for visitors to offset their carbon footprint.
“We are trying to work with companies that do this in Malaysia.”
On Banjaran’s contribution to the local community, Rosario said more than 90 per cent of the workforce comprised locals.
He said the management also bought local produce for its food and beverage operations.
“We always source from local players and we include them as much as possible in our operations,” he added.