Nippon Paint and MAH Collaborate to Future-Proof Malaysia’s Hotel Industry. Nippon Paint (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd. has partnered with the Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH) in a strategic initiative aimed at elevating hotel refurbishment standards across the country. This collaboration, launched under Nippon Paint’s Total Coating & Construction Solutions (TCCS) framework, is designed to support Malaysia’s hospitality sector with future-ready solutions as the nation gears up for an expected 31.4 million tourist arrivals and RM125.5 billion in tourism receipts under Visit Malaysia 2026.
A key feature of this partnership was the “Elevating Hotel Maintenance: Comprehensive Solutions for Refurbishment” workshop, which brought together hoteliers and facility managers to equip them with practical, long-term refurbishment strategies. Nippon Paint’s long-standing commitment to the sector focuses on enhancing the aesthetics, durability, and safety of hotel environments—ensuring they are better positioned to support sustainable tourism growth.
The need for refurbishment is evident in the increasing investments in hotel infrastructure, such as the RM100 million upgrade of the Putrajaya Marriott Hotel and the reimagined Renaissance Kuala Lumpur. These projects highlight a nationwide shift toward modern, guest-focused designs that prioritize operational excellence and visual appeal. According to Isaac Mohan Raj, CEO of MAH, hotels serve as vital touchpoints for travelers and play a major role in shaping their impressions of Malaysia. He emphasized the importance of well-maintained, beautiful spaces in providing memorable guest experiences, praising the collaboration with Nippon Paint as a timely and impactful effort to empower hotel professionals with the tools they need to excel.
Tay Sze Tuck, General Manager of Nippon Paint, echoed this sentiment, noting the company’s dedication to delivering solutions that not only enhance hotel aesthetics but also improve long-term functionality. He highlighted Nippon Paint’s goal of helping hotels remain competitive by creating welcoming, clean, and safe environments for every guest.
A key element of the initiative is Nippon Paint’s 5-step service framework, which includes comprehensive support from initial site assessment to post-project handover. The company identified common hotel maintenance issues such as surface cracks, efflorescence, and water seepage—often caused by poor application techniques or incompatible materials—and presented targeted solutions to address them efficiently and without disrupting daily operations. With expertise in repainting, re-waterproofing, resealing, and reflooring, Nippon Paint offers end-to-end refurbishment services that ensure quality, safety, and compliance, while reducing the burden on hotel operators by eliminating the need to work with multiple vendors.
Hoteliers who participated in the workshop shared real-world challenges and solutions. A representative from Mövenpick Malaysia noted how first impressions and aesthetics play a crucial role in shaping guest perceptions, while highlighting the difficulties of discovering structural flaws post-construction. Similarly, Legoland Malaysia Resort stressed the importance of water management in high-traffic environments and how choosing the right materials from the start can prevent long-term issues and operational disruptions.
Ester Goh, Senior Manager of Waterproofing Solutions at Nippon Paint Malaysia, underscored the significance of empowering maintenance teams with the knowledge and tools needed to proactively manage infrastructure. She pointed out that Nippon Paint’s refurbishment solutions have already benefited a wide range of hotels nationwide, including Premier Hotel in Klang, Hilton in Petaling Jaya, and Cititel Express in Sabah, among others. Goh emphasized that the demand for high-quality, resilient hospitality infrastructure will only increase, making industry upskilling more essential than ever.
Through its comprehensive TCCS approach and continuous collaboration with key industry stakeholders like MAH, Nippon Paint remains committed to advancing the standards of Malaysia’s hotel infrastructure. For more information on Nippon Paint’s refurbishment solutions, visit: https://professional.nipponpaint.com.my/refurbishment.