Opening in September within one of Selangor’s most ambitious developments, ASAI Gamuda Cove brings together 280 rooms, locally inspired dining, and easy access to wetlands and waterpark attractions in a well-connected destination near Kuala Lumpur International Airport and Sepang International Circuit
BANGKOK, THAILAND - Media OutReach Newswire - 27 August 2026 - Dusit Hotels and Resorts, the hotel arm of Dusit International, one of Thailand's leading hotel and property development companies, is set to introduce its locally focused, affordable lifestyle brand, ASAI Hotels, to Malaysia, with the opening of ASAI Gamuda Cove.
ASAI Gamuda Cove in Selangor, Malaysia, will welcome its first guests on 15 September 2026.
Scheduled to welcome its first guests on 15 September 2026, the 13-storey hotel is located within the 1,530-acre Gamuda Cove township, approximately 20 minutes by car from Kuala Lumpur International Airport. The largest ASAI property to date, it is also Dusit's second hotel in Malaysia, following Dusit Princess Melaka, and the first ASAI hotel to open outside a city neighbourhood. It joins the brand's three established properties in Bangkok and Kyoto.
Embodying the ASAI Hotels slogan, Live Local, the hotel places some of Selangor's most distinctive nature experiences right on guests' doorstep. It sits beside the 1,111-acre Paya Indah Discovery Wetlands, a nature reserve and wildlife sanctuary where visitors can observe native wildlife and explore a rare freshwater wetland landscape. Alongside it, the 90-acre Wetlands Arboretum serves as a living tree museum, with walking routes, birdwatching, and environmental learning activities offering further opportunities to experience the area's biodiversity at close range.
Also nearby is the family-friendly SplashMania Waterpark, home to 39 slides and attractions, as well as Discovery Park, an outdoor recreation and entertainment hub offering activities for families and adventure seekers. An electric tram network connects key destinations across the township, allowing guests to move easily between its nature, recreation, and commercial areas without relying on private vehicles.
Across 280 thoughtfully planned rooms, ASAI Gamuda Cove's design focuses on comfort, efficient use of space, and flexibility. Options range from compact rooms for solo travellers and couples to balcony rooms, bunk-bed configurations, and a two-room family category sleeping up to six guests. Selected rooms look towards the wetlands, while all include fast Wi-Fi, smart televisions, walk-in showers, and practical storage.
Beyond the guest rooms, the hotel features an infinity pool overlooking the wetlands, a gym, co-working areas, flexible meeting and event spaces accommodating up to 100 people, and three dining venues centred on Malaysian flavours, complemented by Thai and international dishes.
The all-day dining restaurant Nasi & Khao draws on the comfort-food traditions shared by Malaysia and Thailand, bringing Malaysian classics, vibrant Thai flavours, and familiar Western dishes together in a relaxed setting. Tea Shop provides a warm, community-focused space for curated teas and light bites from morning until late, while the Pool Bar pairs handcrafted cocktails, refreshments, and snacks with views across the infinity pool and Paya Indah Discovery Wetlands.
The hotel will also place guests approximately 20 minutes by car from Sepang International Circuit, where Formula 1 will return for the first time since 2017 with the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, taking place from 2–4 October 2026.
"ASAI Gamuda Cove shows how our Live Local approach can work in a setting where nature, recreation, and a growing community come together," said Mr Chanin Donavanik, Group CEO, Dusit International. "It will give travellers a comfortable and practical base, provide local residents with new places to meet and dine, and put the wetlands and the wider township within easy reach. Opening just ahead of Formula 1's return gives us an excellent opportunity to demonstrate what ASAI offers to visitors from Malaysia and around the world. And the hotel's role will extend well beyond the race weekend: we want every stay to help guests experience more of the area and connect with the people who call it home."
ASAI Hotels was created for travellers who value well-designed essentials, accessible rates, and a closer connection to the places they visit. Each property combines compact, functional rooms with social, dining, and co-working spaces shaped by its location. ASAI Gamuda Cove will become the brand's fourth operating hotel, joining ASAI Bangkok Chinatown and ASAI Bangkok Sathorn in Thailand, and ASAI Kyoto Shijo in Japan.
ASAI's Malaysian debut will also mark the latest step in Dusit's expansion in the country, following the opening of Dusit Princess Melaka in December 2024. The company's presence in Malaysia is set to grow further in October 2026 with the opening of Dusit Princess Ipoh, details of which will be announced soon.
For more information, please visit dusit.com/asai-gamuda-cove.
Hashtag: #Dusit
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Dusit Hotels and Resorts
Dusit Hotels and Resorts is the hotel arm of Dusit International. With a heartfelt belief and commitment to introducing Thai-inspired gracious hospitality to the world, Dusit Hotels and Resorts offers guests a uniquely special stay in high-style surroundings and a personalised approach to service. The group's portfolio of hotels, resorts and luxury villas includes close to 300 properties operating under a total of nine brands (Devarana – Dusit Retreats, Dusit Thani, Dusit Suites, Dusit Collection, Dusit Hotels, dusitD2, Dusit Princess, ASAI Hotels, and Elite Havens) across 19 countries worldwide.
For more information, please visit dusit.com
About Dusit International
Established in 1949, Dusit International is a leading hospitality group listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand. Its operations comprise five distinct yet complementary business units: Dusit Hotels and Resorts, Dusit Hospitality Education, Dusit Foods, Real Estate Development, and Hospitality-Related Services.
Dusit's diversified investments in real estate development, hospitality-related services, and the food sector are part of its long-term strategy for sustainable growth, which focuses on three key areas: balance, expansion, and diversification.
For more information, please visit dusit-international.com
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- IFPHK x YF Life: Hong Kong–Macau Retirement Expense Indexrises to 131.6 — Monthly Spending Reaches HK$15,090
- Retiree Living Costs Have Risen Nearly 3 Times Faster Than General Inflation Since 2020
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 27 August 2026 – The Institute of Financial Planners of Hong Kong (IFPHK), in collaboration with YF Life Trustees Ltd. (YF Life Trustees), today launched the "IFPHK x YF Life: Hong Kong–Macau Retirement Expense Index" (Index). While the Index has been tracking retiree living expenses since its inception in 2020, this year marks the first time IFPHK and YF Life Trustees have partnered to expand the study to cover both Hong Kong and Macau, providing a broader regional benchmark.
The findings show that retiree inflation in Hong Kong has continued to outpace general inflation. The Index rose to 131.6 in 2026, up from 127.0 in 2023 and 100 in 2020, while average monthly spending increased to about HK$15,090 in 2026. On an annualised basis, the Hong Kong Retirement Expense Index grew by more than 5% per annumfrom November 2020 to May 2026, compared with about 1.8% per annum for Hong Kong's Composite CPI over the same period, showing that retiree living costs have effectively appreciated close to three times faster than Hong Kong's general Composite CPI over the same period, underscoring how retirement-specific inflation — driven by travel and dining — is materially outpacing headline price trends.
Furthermore, the study reveals that more than 72% of retirees carry at least one regret regarding their retirement preparation. Most commonly, respondents feel they should have started saving or investing earlier and learned about financial planning sooner, while many continue to express concerns about medical costs, inflation, longevity risk and the risk of outliving their savings.
Dr. Paris Yeung, Chief Executive Officer of IFPHK, stated: "The findings show that satisfaction alone does not mean retirees are fully prepared. More than 72% say they have regrets, and the most common regrets point clearly to the need to start saving, investing and planning earlier. At the same time, retiree inflation has been rising faster than headline inflation, which means future retirees need more robust and flexible plans to protect their purchasing power over time. Through this expanded collaboration with YF Life, we aim to provide deeper regional insights to help future retirees plan with greater confidence."
He added: "Turning regret into action requires starting earlier, integrating healthcare protection into retirement planning, viewing MPF as a steady retirement paycheck, and engaging qualified financial planners to address estate planning gaps. More importantly, retirement planning should shift from a rigid, set-and-forget approach to a flexible plan that adapts to each retiree's evolving needs—what we call moving from a 'fixed plan' to a 'flexible, evolving strategy'. Our goal is to help future retirees achieve sustainable and wellplanned golden years."
Mr. Alvin Tse, Chief Executive Officer of YF Life Trustees, stated: "As the exclusive Project Sponsor of this expanded regional study, YF Life is proud to collaborate with IFPHK on this critical benchmark for Hong Kong and Macau. The 2026 data clearly shows that while retirees desire active lifestyles, they are heavily squeezed by medical inflation and the fear of outliving their wealth. To bridge this gap, retirees must shift away from viewing retirement savings as a static lump sum. By maximizing the flexibility of the MPF through phased withdrawals and mixed-asset strategies, alongside pairing them with lifetime annuity-style income streams and robust medical protection, individuals can effectively convert accumulated assets into a predictable, lifelong paycheck. True financial peace of mind comes from building an integrated fortress that safeguards against both market volatility and longevity risk."
Key Highlights of the Study:
- Retiree Inflation Has Outpaced General Inflation: The Index rose from 100 in 2020 to 131.6 in 2026, with average monthly retiree expenses increasing to about HK$15,090 and the Index growing at more than 5% per annum versus about 1.8% for Hong Kong's Composite CPI for the same period. This escalation is driven partly by travelling and cross‑boundary transport—with roughly four out of five retirees visiting GBA Mainland cities and spending about RMB 1,100 per trip. This suggests that general inflation figures may understate retirees' actual cash‑flow needs, highlighting the importance of planning for inflation‑protected retirement income and periodically rebasing budgets using a retiree‑specific living expense index rather than general CPI so they can maintain their intended post‑retirement lifestyle.
- Retirees' Satisfaction Masks Ongoing Financial Anxiety and Planning Gaps: Although many retirees report being satisfied with their current retirement life, concerns remain widespread, with 51% worrying about unexpected medical expenses, 41% about inflation and 77% still lacking any form of estate or asset planning. This suggests that retirees should turn present satisfaction into future resilience by building healthcare and contingency reserves, setting clear drawdown rules to manage longevity risk, and putting in place basic estate and incapacity documents such as wills, enduring powers of attorney and advance directives well before potential health or family crises arise.
- Conservative Spending but Widespread Regret—Especially Among Asset‑Rich Retirees
Actual retirement spending remains conservative, with average retirement expenses in 2026 equal to about 49% of pre‑retirement income. Yet more than 72% of retirees say they would have done something differently in preparing for retirement, most notably saving or investing earlier, learning financial planning earlier and communicating more openly with family about money and care needs. This pattern emphasizes that future retirees should start disciplined saving, investing and family financial discussions much earlier, even when their asset position appears comfortable. - MPF Transitioning Toward Income Support: While most eligible retirees still treat MPF as a lump sum, with about 76% having fully withdrawn their benefits in 2026, the scheme is gradually shifting toward an income‑support role, as 22% now use MPF to fund monthly expenses, up from 12% in 2023. Retirees are encouraged to treat MPF as part of a structured retirement income strategy, considering phased withdrawals, annuity‑style income solutions, and planned drawdowns rather than a single cash‑out, converting accumulated MPF assets into a more predictable and sustainable retirement paycheck.
Hashtag: #IFPHK #YFLife #RetirementPlanning
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About "IFPHK x YF Life: Hong Kong–Macau Retirement Expense Index"
The "IFPHK x YF Life: Hong Kong–Macau Retirement Expense Index" was jointly launched in 2026 by the Institute of Financial Planners of Hong Kong (IFPHK) and YF Life Insurance International Limited. Since 2020, the Index has been the only long-term, retirement-specific benchmark tracking retirees' actual living expenses. As the first study of its kind by IFPHK, the Index tracks and measures long-term changes in retirees' actual living expenses with reference to the Composite Consumer Price Index (CPI) and the expenditure weightings published by the Government.
In the Hong Kong survey conducted in June 2026, NielsenIQ (NIQ) interviewed 304 retirees aged 55 to 74 with monthly personal income of at least HK$20,000 before retirement and not receiving means-tested social security or charitable support.
About IFPHK
IFPHK was established in June 2000 as a non-profit organization for the fast–growing financial industry. The Institute is the sole licensing body in Hong Kong authorized by Financial Planning Standards Board Limited to grant the much-coveted and internationally recognized CFP® certification and AFP® certification to qualified financial planning professionals in Hong Kong and Macau. Currently there are more than 236,000 CFP certificants in 29 regions; the majority of these professionals are in the U.S., China, Japan, Canada and Brazil. As at 28 February 2026, Hong Kong had approximately 3,238 CFP certificants.
At present, IFPHK has 5,298 members in Hong Kong including 956 Qualified Retirement Adviser (QRA) holders; and represents financial planning practitioners in diverse professional backgrounds such as banking, insurance, independent financial advisory, stock broking, accounting, and legal services.
About YF Life Trustees Ltd. & YF Life
YF Life Trustees is a member of YF Life Insurance International Limited (YF Life), and was among the first group of institutions approved as a Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF) scheme trustee. The company specializes in providing MPF services and is committed to creating long-term value for its scheme members.
The major indirect shareholders* of YF Life Insurance International Limited ("YF Life") include Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company ("MassMutual"), which itself has over 170 years of experience and is one of the Five Largest US Life Insurance Companies**, as well as Yunfeng Financial Holdings Limited, among others. YF Life is a long-term strategic partner of Barings. We stay at the forefront of Hong Kong's insurance industry with our superior global investment capabilities, extensive partnership network, and fintech innovation.
* MassMutual and Yunfeng Financial Holdings Limited have indirect shareholdings in YF Life.
** The "Five Largest US Life Insurance Companies" are ranked according to the results of "Insurance: Life, Health (Mutual)" and "Insurance: Life, Health (Stock)"on total revenues for 2025, and based on the FORTUNE 500 as published on June 3, 2026.
** This press release is distributed by Media OutReach Newswire through automated distribution system, for which the client assumes full responsibility. **
Retirement Costs Soar Faster Than Inflation, Monthly Spend Hits HK$15,090: Over 72% of HK Retirees Wish They'd Acted Sooner
