Johor Bahru: The announcement of Mandarin Oriental as the new operator at Desaru Coast has officially put to rest rumours that the iconic One and Only Desaru Coast was shutting down its operations. Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi clarified that the resort was never closed, and the confusion stemmed from a misunderstanding during the transition of operators. He emphasized that this change was part of a strategic rebranding plan aimed at enhancing the resort's value and elevating Johor's tourism profile on the international stage.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi received a call from the Palace inquiring about the situation, as he was recently appointed as the individual responsible for tourism in the region. To address the concerns, he consulted with Dr. Nash, Chairman of Destination Resorts and Hotels, as well as Karina Ridzuan, Interim Group Chief Executive Officer of Destination Resorts and Hotels, to confirm the status of the resort. He assured that the resort was not closing down, but rather undergoing a transition of operators.

The announcement was made during a signing ceremony for a new hotel management agreement and a press conference to introduce the new operator at Desaru Coast. The resort, located across 4,000 acres of pristine beachfront, boasts world-class amenities, including resorts, spas, championship golf courses, and a rich cultural heritage, contributing significantly to the region's tourism appeal.