STRONG arrivals growth from Asia-Pacific nations buoyed up arrival figures to a solid 26.7 million in 2013, announced Thailand in the face of ongoing anti-government protests in Bangkok.

According to a media release issued by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) yesterday, 2013’s figures represent a 19.6 per cent increase over 2012’s 22.3 million arrivals and exceed the NTO’s original 26.1 million target for the year.

Six Asia-Pacific countries in particular contributed more than one million visitor arrivals each, reported the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, namely China with 4.7 million arrivals (68.8 per cent increase), Malaysia with three million (17.3 per cent), Russia with 1.7 million (31.9 per cent), Japan with 1.5 million (12 per cent), South Korea with 1.3 million (11.5 per cent) and India with one million (3.6 per cent).

East Asia takes the lion’s share of tourists at 16.1 million arrivals, a 28.5 per cent year-on-year rise, or 60.2 per cent market share of total visitors. Europe trails in second place with 6.3 million or an 11.6 per cent increase over 2012.

TAT governor, Thawatchai Arunyik, said: “This achievement brings much joy to Thailand and the country’s travel and tourism industry as a whole. These statistics are invaluable as evidence that despite the challenging factors including the ongoing political demonstrations in Bangkok, Thailand remains a popular and welcoming tourist destination.”

“During tough times, such as the current ongoing anti-government destinations, we are also working hand-in-hand in ensuring utmost convenience to tourists, our friends of Thailand.”

The anti-government protests “shut down” the nation’s capital on Monday but has remained peaceful so far (TTG Asia e-Daily, January 14, 2014).

TAT is aiming for 28 million international arrivals this year through promotions under the Amazing Thailand: It Begins with the People campaign.

UPSCALE resort The Chedi Sakala will officially open at the end of February, the third hotel on Bali managed by GHM.

The resort occupies 2.5 hectares of land on Tanjung Benoa Beach in Nusa Dua and offers a total of 261 rooms, of which 247 are suites each offering a minimum of 58m² and a kitchenette.

Its two-bedroom, ocean-view suites are 150m² in size and come with a separate living room, dining room and walk-in pantry, while each of the resort’s 14 two-storey pool villas feature infinity pools with built-in whirlpools and full kitchens.

F&B is a highlight of the resort. The established Sakala Bali can be found on site serving local produce married with French influences, while The Restaurant dishes up Asian and European fare.

Other facilities include a lagoon pool, an open-air lobby bar and a spa with eight treatment rooms. The resort’s kids’ club and club lounge are slated for completion before April.

For events, The Chedi Ballroom provides 630m² of space and can be divided into six meeting rooms to host a range of MICE events.

The Chedi Sakala is GHM’s third property on the island after Legian in Seminyak and The Chedi Club Tanah Gajah in Ubud.

A THEME park in Sichuan, China will build a life-sized replica of the Titanic and open it in 2016.

Funded by the Seven Star Energy Investment Group, the project will comprise a museum and shipwreck simulation that will recreate the experience of being on board the sinking Titanic, according to Reuters.

The project will cost Seven Star some one billion yuan (US$165.5 million).

Construction will start early this year with the aid of a US company, and the ship will be modelled on the design of the Titanic’s sister ship, RMS Olympic, said Reuters.

CENTARA Hotels & Resorts is beefing up its presence in the South Thailand province of Krabi, having signed three management contracts for new properties in Kluong Muang, Krabi.

Centara Pelican Bay Residence & Suites Krabi, Centara Pelican Bay Resort & Spa Krabi and the Centara Pelican Bay Villas Krabi will come on stream between now and 2017.

Thirayuth Chirathivat, CEO of Centara Hotels & Resorts, said: “Krabi has emerged as a prime tourist destination in recent years, and has enormous potential for the future.

“We are very proud to have been a leader in developing Krabi for visitors, and these three new ventures give us superb scope to add to our presence in this beautiful part of Thailand.”

The 92-unit Centara Pelican Bay Residence & Suites Krabi is due to soft open before mid-2014, and will come with one restaurant, a swimming pool, business corner and a beach club.

Centara Pelican Bay Resort & Spa Krabi is expected to commence operations in 1Q2017, with 210 rooms, two restaurants, a bar, a swimming pool and snack bar, a Spa Cenvaree, a banquet room, business centre, fitness centre and kids’ club.

The all-villa Centara Pelican Bay Villas Krabi is also scheduled to open in 1Q2017.

Centara Hotels & Resorts currently operates two resorts in Krabi ­– Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Krabi in 2006 and the Centara Anda Dhevi Resort & Spa Krabi, which opened in 2006 and 2012 respectively.

ARMENIAN Street Heritage Hotel held its official grand opening yesterday in George Town, adding to the city’s hotel inventory.

The hotel, strategically located within the Core Zone of the George Town UNESCO World Heritage site, soft opened last November.

Managed by Tune Hotels, Armenian Street Heritage Hotel offers 92 rooms that come with TVs, Wi-Fi and power showers.

A viewing deck on the top floor of the hotel provides views of the entire heritage area including the coastline of Penang island.