What is Brief History of Genting Berhad Company?

Genting Berhad Bundle

Get Bundle
Get Full Bundle:
$15 $10
$15 $10
$15 $10
$15 $10
$15 $10
$15 $10

TOTAL:

What is the history of Genting Berhad?

The story of Genting Berhad began with a bold vision in the mid-1960s to transform a remote Malaysian mountaintop into a premier resort destination. Founded in 1965 by Tan Sri Lim Goh Tong, the company, formally incorporated as Genting Highlands Hotel Sdn Bhd in 1968, started its journey on Mount Ulu Kali with a commitment to unparalleled leisure and hospitality.

What is Brief History of Genting Berhad Company?

From these challenging beginnings, Genting Berhad has grown into a global conglomerate with diverse interests. The company's strategic expansion includes integrated resorts, casinos, hotels, and theme parks, alongside ventures in oil palm plantations, power generation, and property development.

For the financial year ending December 31, 2024, Genting Berhad reported a revenue of RM27.7 billion and a net profit of RM2.0 billion, with total assets reaching RM105.1 billion. This robust financial performance highlights its significant market presence and diversified portfolio, a testament to its remarkable growth from its inception. Understanding its market position can be further illuminated by a Genting Berhad Porter's Five Forces Analysis.

What is the Genting Berhad Founding Story?

The founding story of Genting Berhad is deeply intertwined with the vision of its founder, Tan Sri Lim Goh Tong. His initial inspiration struck during a visit to the Cameron Highlands in 1963, where he recognized the potential for a similar mountain resort experience closer to Kuala Lumpur.

Icon

The Genesis of a Mountain Resort

Tan Sri Lim Goh Tong envisioned a unique mountain resort destination, identifying Mount Ulu Kali as the prime location. This ambition led to the establishment of Genting Highlands Berhad on April 27, 1965, in partnership with politician Mohamad Noah Omar.

  • The journey began with the challenging construction of a 20-kilometer private road to the summit.
  • The company was formally incorporated as Genting Highlands Hotel Sdn Bhd on July 30, 1968.
  • A pivotal moment was securing the nation's first and only casino license in 1969.
  • Initial funding was bolstered by Lim Goh Tong's engineering contracting expertise.

The early years of Genting Berhad were marked by significant infrastructural challenges, most notably the construction of a 20-kilometer access road through difficult terrain to reach the 2,000-meter elevation of Mount Ulu Kali. This ambitious undertaking commenced on August 18, 1965. The company's formal incorporation as Genting Highlands Hotel Sdn Bhd occurred on July 30, 1968, with the explicit aim of developing an integrated tourist complex featuring a hotel and casino. The granting of Malaysia's first and only casino license in 1969 was a critical factor in the resort's original business model, focusing on leisure and entertainment. The initial capital for this vast project was largely derived from Lim Goh Tong's successful ventures in engineering contracting, supplemented by early private investments, underscoring the entrepreneurial drive needed to overcome substantial establishment hurdles. This period laid the groundwork for what would become a major player in the region's tourism and leisure industry, a testament to the Growth Strategy of Genting Berhad.

Genting Berhad SWOT Analysis

  • Complete SWOT Breakdown
  • Fully Customizable
  • Editable in Excel & Word
  • Professional Formatting
  • Investor-Ready Format
Get Related Template

What Drove the Early Growth of Genting Berhad?

Following the completion of its access road and securing a casino license in 1969, Genting Berhad initiated the construction of its first hotel, the Highlands Hotel, which opened in 1971, marking the formal launch of Resorts World Genting. The company's initial operating entity, Genting Highlands Bhd, went public on the Kuala Lumpur exchange in the same year, facilitating significant capital for expansion.

Icon Pioneering Leisure and Hospitality

The opening of the Highlands Hotel in 1971 signaled the birth of Resorts World Genting. This marked a significant step in the Genting Berhad history, laying the foundation for its future growth in the leisure and hospitality sector.

Icon Public Listing and Capital Growth

Genting Highlands Bhd's IPO in 1971 on the Kuala Lumpur exchange was a pivotal moment in the Genting Group history. This public offering provided crucial capital, enabling the company to pursue ambitious expansion plans and solidify its position in the market.

Icon Diversification into Plantations

In 1977, Genting Berhad expanded its business portfolio by establishing a Plantation division to manage its growing palm oil interests. By 2000, this division managed over 63,000 hectares of palm oil plantations, showcasing the company's early diversification strategy.

Icon Expansion of Leisure Offerings

The leisure sector saw significant growth with the introduction of the Genting Grand in 1981 and Awana in 1984. The Resort Hotel and amusement parks, including the Genting Grand Indoor Theme Park and Genting Outdoor Theme Park, were added in the early 1990s, enhancing the integrated resort experience.

Icon Corporate Restructuring and Strategic Investments

A significant corporate restructuring in 1989 established Genting Berhad as a holding company, with its leisure operations transferred to a new subsidiary, Resorts World Bhd, which also went public. This allowed for a focused five-year development plan in the 1990s, investing over MYR 2 billion to transform the resort.

Icon Further Diversification and Global Reach

The Genting Berhad timeline expanded into new industries with the launch of Star Cruises in 1993, becoming a major Asian cruise operator. Entry into power generation, paper manufacturing in 1994, and oil and gas exploration in 1996 demonstrated the group's evolving business model and commitment to growth, aligning with its Mission, Vision & Core Values of Genting Berhad.

Genting Berhad PESTLE Analysis

  • Covers All 6 PESTLE Categories
  • No Research Needed – Save Hours of Work
  • Built by Experts, Trusted by Consultants
  • Instant Download, Ready to Use
  • 100% Editable, Fully Customizable
Get Related Template

What are the key Milestones in Genting Berhad history?

The history of Genting Berhad is a narrative of strategic foresight and ambitious expansion, marked by significant achievements and the navigation of considerable obstacles. From its inception, the company has demonstrated a capacity for innovation, transforming its initial ventures into a global entertainment and hospitality powerhouse.

Year Milestone
1969 Secured Malaysia's sole casino license, a pivotal moment for its domestic market.
2001 Opened the First World Hotel, which became the world's largest hotel with 6,300 rooms.
2006 Successfully bid for a casino license in Singapore, leading to the development of Resorts World Sentosa.
2010 Resorts World Sentosa, a major integrated resort, opened its doors in Singapore.
2013 Acquired the Echelon Place site on the Las Vegas Strip for US$350 million.
2021 Resorts World Las Vegas, a US$4.3 billion project, opened on the Las Vegas Strip.
2022 Soft opened Genting SkyWorlds Theme Park following an US$800 million investment.
October 2024 RAM Ratings reaffirmed the Group's AA1/Stable/P1 ratings.

Innovations have been central to the company's growth, including the development of large-scale integrated resorts and theme parks, pushing the boundaries of entertainment and hospitality. The opening of the First World Hotel in 2001, at the time the world's largest, showcased a commitment to scale and visitor experience. More recently, the Genting SkyWorlds Theme Park, a significant investment, represents an effort to enhance its entertainment portfolio with cutting-edge attractions.

Icon

Integrated Resort Development

The company pioneered the concept of large-scale integrated resorts, combining gaming, entertainment, and hospitality under one roof, exemplified by Resorts World Sentosa and Resorts World Las Vegas.

Icon

Hotel Capacity Innovation

The creation of the First World Hotel in 2001, which held the title of the world's largest hotel, demonstrated an innovative approach to accommodating massive numbers of tourists.

Icon

Theme Park Development

The investment in and development of Genting SkyWorlds Theme Park signifies an innovation in creating immersive themed entertainment experiences for visitors.

Icon

Strategic Divestment

The divestment of its paper and packaging business in 2007 was a strategic pivot to sharpen focus on core hospitality and gaming operations, a key business strategy.

Icon

Diversified Portfolio Strength

Maintaining a diversified portfolio across plantations, power generation, property, and oil and gas has provided resilience and financial stability, as reflected in its credit ratings.

Icon

Global Market Entry

The successful bid for a Singapore license and subsequent development of Resorts World Sentosa marked a significant milestone in its global expansion strategy.

Challenges have been a constant companion, from the initial engineering feats required to build on a mountain to navigating regional competition and economic downturns. The 2008 economic crisis, for instance, impacted projects like the Las Vegas development, highlighting market volatility. More recently, the COVID-19 pandemic caused significant delays, pushing back the opening of Genting SkyWorlds from its initial projection. Furthermore, the company has faced regulatory scrutiny, such as a disciplinary complaint from the Nevada Gaming Control Board regarding its Las Vegas operations, and financial pressures, with Genting Malaysia reporting a net loss of RM485.6 million in Q4 2024, partly due to gaming license bid costs.

Icon

Construction Engineering Hurdles

The initial development of its flagship resort involved overcoming significant engineering challenges associated with building on a mountainous terrain.

Icon

Market Competition

As other countries in the region began authorizing casinos, the company faced increasing competitive pressures in its core markets.

Icon

Economic Downturns

Global economic fluctuations, such as the 2008 downturn, presented challenges that affected project timelines and financial performance.

Icon

Pandemic-Related Delays

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly disrupted operations and delayed project openings, such as the Genting SkyWorlds Theme Park, originally planned for an earlier launch.

Icon

Regulatory Compliance

The company has faced regulatory challenges, including disciplinary complaints from gaming control boards, requiring careful management of compliance standards.

Icon

Financial Pressures from Bids

Significant costs associated with pursuing new gaming licenses, such as the New York bid, have impacted recent financial results, contributing to reported net losses.

Genting Berhad Business Model Canvas

  • Complete 9-Block Business Model Canvas
  • Effortlessly Communicate Your Business Strategy
  • Investor-Ready BMC Format
  • 100% Editable and Customizable
  • Clear and Structured Layout
Get Related Template

What is the Timeline of Key Events for Genting Berhad?

The journey of Genting Berhad, from its inception to its current global standing, is a testament to strategic vision and persistent growth. Tracing the Genting Berhad history reveals a consistent pattern of expansion and diversification, setting the stage for its future endeavors.

Year Key Event
1965 Genting Group was founded by Tan Sri Lim Goh Tong, with construction of the access road to Genting Highlands commencing.
1969 Construction of the first hotel began, and the Malaysian government granted the sole casino license.
1971 The Highlands Hotel opened, and Genting Highlands Bhd was listed on the Kuala Lumpur exchange.
1977 The plantation division was launched.
1989 Genting Berhad was restructured as a holding company, and Resorts World Bhd was listed.
1993 Star Cruises, now Genting Hong Kong, was launched, becoming a major cruise operator in the Asia-Pacific region.
1994 The company diversified into power generation through the acquisition of Genting Sanyen Power Sdn Bhd.
2001 The First World Hotel at Genting Highlands, then the world's largest hotel with 6,300 rooms, opened its doors.
2004 Tan Sri Lim Goh Tong retired at the age of 86.
2010 Resorts World Sentosa in Singapore, a S$6.59 billion integrated resort, commenced operations.
2013 Genting acquired the Echelon Place site in Las Vegas for US$350 million, with plans for Resorts World Las Vegas.
2021 Resorts World Las Vegas, a US$4.3 billion integrated resort, opened on the Las Vegas Strip.
2022 The Genting SkyWorlds Theme Park had its soft opening following an investment exceeding US$800 million.
2024 Genting Berhad reported a group revenue of RM27.7 billion and a net profit of RM2.0 billion for the financial year. Genting Malaysia Berhad's leisure and hospitality operations in Malaysia experienced a 6% revenue growth, reaching RM6.28 billion for FY24.
2025 Dato' Sri Tan Kong Han was appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of Genting Berhad, marking a significant leadership transition. Genting Malaysia Berhad's 1Q 2025 revenue reached RM2.60 billion, with net income increasing by 26% to RM72.6 million compared to 1Q 2024.
2030 The new waterfront development at Resorts World Sentosa, featuring new hotels and a 'mountain trail,' is slated for opening.
Icon Enhancing Resorts World Genting

The group is committed to refining marketing strategies and investing in infrastructure at Resorts World Genting. Ecotourism experiences are set to launch in 2025 to boost visitor numbers.

Icon US Market Expansion

Genting Malaysia aims to strategically expand its footprint in the US, enhancing operational capabilities. This includes leveraging synergies between Resorts World New York City and Empire Resorts.

Icon Resorts World New York City Development

A multi-billion dollar expansion plan for Resorts World New York City is anticipated to create over 10,000 jobs. This significant project awaits a full commercial casino license in downstate New York.

Icon Global Diversification and Potential Listing

The group is exploring integrated resort developments in emerging markets like Thailand and the UAE. Additionally, there is keen interest in a potential US listing to unlock shareholder value.

Genting Berhad Porter's Five Forces Analysis

  • Covers All 5 Competitive Forces in Detail
  • Structured for Consultants, Students, and Founders
  • 100% Editable in Microsoft Word & Excel
  • Instant Digital Download – Use Immediately
  • Compatible with Mac & PC – Fully Unlocked
Get Related Template

Disclaimer

All information, articles, and product details provided on this website are for general informational and educational purposes only. We do not claim any ownership over, nor do we intend to infringe upon, any trademarks, copyrights, logos, brand names, or other intellectual property mentioned or depicted on this site. Such intellectual property remains the property of its respective owners, and any references here are made solely for identification or informational purposes, without implying any affiliation, endorsement, or partnership.

We make no representations or warranties, express or implied, regarding the accuracy, completeness, or suitability of any content or products presented. Nothing on this website should be construed as legal, tax, investment, financial, medical, or other professional advice. In addition, no part of this site—including articles or product references—constitutes a solicitation, recommendation, endorsement, advertisement, or offer to buy or sell any securities, franchises, or other financial instruments, particularly in jurisdictions where such activity would be unlawful.

All content is of a general nature and may not address the specific circumstances of any individual or entity. It is not a substitute for professional advice or services. Any actions you take based on the information provided here are strictly at your own risk. You accept full responsibility for any decisions or outcomes arising from your use of this website and agree to release us from any liability in connection with your use of, or reliance upon, the content or products found herein.