SEPANG: Malaysia Airports (Niaga) Sdn Bhd, better known as Eraman Malaysia, has projected revenue this year of RM720 million, about RM50 million more than last year's proceeds.
Its general manager, Zulhikam Ahmad, said despite weak consumer spending due to current challenging economic conditions, sales of products at Eraman stores have been steady.
"The global data only targeted 5 per cent growth in the Asia Pacific region.
“However, Eraman Malaysia has recorded almost 10 per cent growth in the first eight months of 2016," he told reporters today, adding that last year's revenue was RM674 million.
Zulhikam said that profit in the last quarter of the year is expected to be even higher, due to the end-of-year travel season.
"October, November and December are good travelling months, and we are expecting strong growth in these remaining months ," he added.
Zulhikam was met at the opening of the second Bally Boutique at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) here.
He said the company is also looking at wider opportunities and better profits by expanding retails outlets under the Eraman umbrella nationwide.
Eraman Malaysia, a subsidiary of Malaysian Airports Holdings Berhad, is the largest airport travel retail and duty-free brand.
It operates more than 50 retail and food and beverage outlets throughout KLIA, klia2, Kuching, Kota Kinabalu, Penang, Langkawi, Labuan and Kota Bharu airports.
The planned expansion is part of Eraman Malaysia’s aim to be the most preferred duty-free and travel retail brand in the region.
When asked what his hopes for the upcoming 2017 Budget are, Zulhikam said the company would like more travel incentives for travellers, especially Malaysians.
"Currently, duty-free status is only afforded to perfumes and cosmetics, liquor, cigarettes and chocolates.
"We would like for the government to consider increasing the range of duty-free items," he added.