JOHOR BAHRU – The highly anticipated friendly match between English Premier League club Chelsea FC and Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) is expected to provide a significant boost to Johor’s tourism and hospitality industry ahead of the Aug 11 clash at Sultan Ibrahim Stadium (SSI).
Industry players believe the match will attract thousands of football fans from across Malaysia and neighbouring countries, making it one of Johor’s biggest sporting events of the year.
Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH) Johor chapter chairman Ivan Teoh said Chelsea’s huge international fan base would bring strong demand for hotels and tourism-related businesses.
“Chelsea supporters are not only in Malaysia but throughout the region. This match has the potential to become one of Johor’s major sporting attractions this year,” he said.
Teoh added that hotel operators are expecting higher occupancy rates, especially in Johor Bahru and Iskandar Puteri, with more than 18,500 hotel rooms available statewide.
“The event will also benefit restaurants, shopping centres and transport providers as fans travel into Johor for the game,” he said.
He also stressed the importance of continuing to host major international sporting and entertainment events to strengthen Johor’s position as a regional tourism destination.
Meanwhile, Johor Tourist Guides Association chairman Jimmy Leong said Johor has already established itself as a destination for football tourism, particularly among fans from Japan and South Korea who visit to watch JDT matches and tour the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium.
Leong noted that JDT’s participation in competitions such as the AFC Champions League Elite has elevated the club’s international profile and indirectly promoted Johor worldwide.
“With Chelsea coming to Johor, the exposure for the state will expand even further, not only in England but globally,” he said.
Chelsea will return to Malaysia for the first time since 2013 when they take on JDT in a pre-season friendly at the 34,000-capacity Sultan Ibrahim Stadium in Iskandar Puteri.
The match, organised by TEG Sport, is scheduled to kick off at 8 pm and is expected to draw a full house.
