KHAO LAK is seeing an increase in arrivals from existing and new markets, benefiting in part from tourism influx in Phuket. The destination is also seeing an expansion of its inventory.
Vichien Kitsuwan, general manager of the 270-room Khaolak Emerald Beach Resort and Spa, said the resort was expected to run at peak to full capacity again in the November to March high season. This is based on forward bookings from existing markets – Scandinavia, Germany, France and Switzerland – as well as new arrivals from the Netherlands.
However, Vichien said that the resort was unlikely to fetch the average room rate of 3,200 baht (US$104) – a level it achieved in 2008 – because of more competition.
Le Meridien Khao Lak Beach and Spa Resort marketing director Linawaty Ko said the resort was cultivating new markets to grow its share amid competition from more hotels. Recent activities done by the resort and the Tourism Authority of Thailand had resulted in more arrivals from Australia, Southern Europe and India, she said.
While Khao Lak had also seen the rise of arrivals from Asia – Hong Kong, Japan and South Korea – spilling over from Phuket, more collective destination marketing is still needed to drum up interest, according to True Holiday Thailand managing director Wichukorn Kootrakool.
Wichukorn said: “Bookings from the Hong Kong market to Khao Lak started arriving slowly after my recent sales mission. Khao Lak has the potential to get more Hong Kong business, but the destination needs to increase their promotions and market awareness.”
The destination is also set to add more inventory. In November, Phuket-based Kata Group Resorts will open its Khao Lak Cassaway Resort and Spa with 153 one-bedroom villas, while Casa de La Flora, which soft-opened in March with 14 villas, will add another 22 villas.
Owners of Phuket Graceland Resort and Spa also plan to open a 350-key resort early next year. They will join the 78-key new wing of the 103-room Briza Beach Resort, which opened in February.
In addition, the 156-key Kantary Beach Hotel Villas and Suites opened in November last year
KHAO LAK is seeing an increase in arrivals from existing and new markets, benefiting in part from tourism influx in Phuket. The destination is also seeing an expansion of its inventory.
Vichien Kitsuwan, general manager of the 270-room Khaolak Emerald Beach Resort and Spa, said the resort was expected to run at peak to full capacity again in the November to March high season. This is based on forward bookings from existing markets – Scandinavia, Germany, France and Switzerland – as well as new arrivals from the Netherlands.
However, Vichien said that the resort was unlikely to fetch the average room rate of 3,200 baht (US$104) – a level it achieved in 2008 – because of more competition.
Le Meridien Khao Lak Beach and Spa Resort marketing director Linawaty Ko said the resort was cultivating new markets to grow its share amid competition from more hotels. Recent activities done by the resort and the Tourism Authority of Thailand had resulted in more arrivals from Australia, Southern Europe and India, she said.
While Khao Lak had also seen the rise of arrivals from Asia – Hong Kong, Japan and South Korea – spilling over from Phuket, more collective destination marketing is still needed to drum up interest, according to True Holiday Thailand managing director Wichukorn Kootrakool.
Wichukorn said: “Bookings from the Hong Kong market to Khao Lak started arriving slowly after my recent sales mission. Khao Lak has the potential to get more Hong Kong business, but the destination needs to increase their promotions and market awareness.”
The destination is also set to add more inventory. In November, Phuket-based Kata Group Resorts will open its Khao Lak Cassaway Resort and Spa with 153 one-bedroom villas, while Casa de La Flora, which soft-opened in March with 14 villas, will add another 22 villas.
Owners of Phuket Graceland Resort and Spa also plan to open a 350-key resort early next year. They will join the 78-key new wing of the 103-room Briza Beach Resort, which opened in February.
In addition, the 156-key Kantary Beach Hotel Villas and Suites opened in November last year
By Sirima Eamtako
