The Premier of Sarawak yesterday officiated the official opening of Wisma Elica, home to voco Kuching, Malaysia's first hotel under the globally recognised voco Hotels by IHG Hotels & Resorts brand, together with Care Collective, East Malaysia's largest senior wellness centre.
Attended by government leaders, tourism stakeholders, business partners, members of the diplomatic corps and invited guests, the ceremony marked a significant milestone for Sarawak's tourism and hospitality industry while showcasing the state's continued confidence in sustainable investment, urban regeneration and international partnerships.
Officially declaring Wisma Elica open, the Premier described the development as more than the completion of a building, but a statement of confidence in Kuching, Sarawak and its future. He highlighted voco Kuching as an important addition to the state's premium hospitality landscape, strengthening Kuching's position as a destination for leisure travellers, business events and international conferences. He also commended Elica Equity's adaptive reuse of a familiar landmark and the inclusion of Care Collective as a meaningful contribution towards healthy ageing and community wellbeing.
For Elica Equity, the opening represents the culmination of a vision to breathe new life into one of Kuching's longstanding hospitality landmarks while creating a destination that serves both visitors and the local community.
Dato Bobby Ting Sie Ching, Managing Director of Elica Equity Sdn. Bhd., said: "When we first walked through this property, many people saw an ageing hotel whose best years had already passed. We saw something different—we saw an opportunity. An opportunity to preserve a familiar landmark, breathe new life into it, and transform it into a destination that would continue serving Kuching and Sarawak for many years to come."
He added that Wisma Elica was envisioned as more than a hotel development, bringing together voco Kuching and Care Collective under one roof to create a place where hospitality, wellness, lifestyle and community come together while generating both economic value and meaningful social impact.
At the heart of the development is voco Kuching, the first voco hotel in Malaysia and the latest premium addition to IHG Hotels & Resorts' growing portfolio in the country.
Since opening its doors in June, the 321-room hotel has quickly established itself as a refreshingly different destination for business travellers, leisure guests and the local community. Within weeks of opening, the hotel successfully hosted major international events, welcoming more than 1,200 delegates from six countries, demonstrating its capability as one of Kuching's leading venues for conferences, meetings, exhibitions and celebrations.
Designed by award-winning hospitality design studio SL+A Hotels, voco Kuching draws inspiration from Sarawak's rich cultural heritage through contemporary interiors, thoughtful design and locally inspired experiences. Theredevelopment also features façade architecture led by Neuman Studio and One Design Office, transforming the property's original exterior into a contemporary landmark while respecting its architectural heritage.
The façade enhancement introduces a second layer of architectural screening that provides greater privacy, reduces solar heat gain and softens the building's original expression. At street level, a reimagined five-foot way creates a more welcoming pedestrian experience, while thoughtfully designed outdoor spaces surrounding AMPM activate the hotel's prominent corner location, creating a vibrant social atmosphere that connects guests with the city.
Neuman Studio also served as the lead design consultant for Care Collective, ensuring a cohesive architectural vision across the wider Wisma Elica development. Together with collaborations featuring Sarawakian musician Alena Murang and Malaysian fashion designer Jonathan Liang, the project reflects a strong commitment to celebrating local creativity while delivering an internationally recognised hospitality experience.
The Grand Opening also marked the launch of Sarawak's first Tesla Destination Charging hub at a hotel, reinforcing voco Kuching's commitment to supporting sustainable travel and future-ready hospitality.
Speaking on behalf of IHG Hotels & Resorts, Rajit Sukumaran, Senior Vice President & Managing Director, East Asia & Pacific, said the partnership with Elica Equity was founded on a shared vision rather than simply developing another hotel.
"What makes a successful hotel is not simply a beautiful building or a globally recognised brand. It is finding partners who share the same values, commitment and long-term outlook. From our very first conversations with Dato' Bobby and his team, it was clear that this was not simply another hotel development."
He added that voco Kuching demonstrates how international hospitality expertise can be combined with local identity to create a destination that is distinctive, authentic and meaningful to both travellers and the community.
As IHG Hotels & Resorts' fastest-growing premium brand, voco is recognised worldwide for combining premium comfort, thoughtful hospitality and unstuffy charm, while allowing every property to reflect the personality of its destination. Today, voco has more than 235 hotels open and in the pipeline globally.
The opening of Wisma Elica and voco Kuching reflects a shared ambition between Elica Equity, IHG Hotels & Resorts and the Government of Sarawak to create developments that strengthen tourism, encourage investment and contribute to the state's long-term economic growth.
As Malaysia's first voco hotel, voco Kuching not only introduces one of the world's fastest-growing premium hotel brands to the country but also reinforces Kuching's emergence as one of Borneo's leading destinations for tourism, business events and international investment.
