High demand prompts Phuket to increase property capacity

New resort hotels

High demand prompts Phuket to increase property capacity

Report by LINSEY McNEILL

Thailand’s most popular resort, Phuket, will use World Travel Market to announce it is to add 2,000 rooms over the next 12 months.

Falling into the four and five-star category, the additional rooms will be aimed at the high spend sector of the market.

A spokesman for the Tourism Authority of Thailand in the UK said: “The extra building comes at a time when the resort is performing strongly and it shows that confidence in the island’s future is at a high.”

Properties that are investing in new rooms include the four-star Phuket Arcadia at Karon Beach. New hotels being built include a five-star J W Marriott Hotel.

The Kata Group plans to add its three existing properties in Phuket with a new four-star hotel, The Kata Bay.

Kata Group general manager Alan Wade said: “We are looking forward to one of our best seasons, with bookings extremely strong. With this in mind, we decided to commit to another property.”

Further details will be available in the Thailand area of the Together In Asia stand at Earl’s Court.

Central Hotels and Resorts, which has recently expanded with new properties in Phuket and Koh Samui, has produced a video to demonstrate its range of 10 properties across Thailand.

Vice-president sales and marketing Bob James said: “We want the video to be used by agents and tour operators as a training vehicle, and by consumers. Copies will be available from the Together in Asia stand.”

The TAT will be launching its consumer brochure at WTM, copies of which will also be available at the show. Titled ‘Amazing Thailand – So Much To Smile About,’ the brochure provides a comprehensive guide to the regions of Thailand and details of the activities available.

Phuket: a rapidly expanding tourism market