Phuket sees boost in new attractions

Soaring tourist arrivals are not only driving hotel development in this popular tourist island, but also spurring growth in peripheral sectors such as attractions, according to the latest C9 Hotelworks research released, 5 January.

The report provides examples of expansion in attractions, mainly fuelled by a strong growth in visits from China, a market that demands man-made attractions to supplement visits to the beach.

With its successful water park in Hua Hin, Proud Real Estate plans to start the development of Vana Nava Phuket by Q4 2018.  Coupled with a 255-room Holiday Inn Express, the project is valued at nearly THB3 billion. Kata Water Park is another notable project that will begin construction in 2018.  Developed by Kata Group on a 13-rai plot, replacing Kata Plaza, the plan includes a 300-room hotel and multiple dining outlets.

Summing up Phuket’s continued growth trajectory Bill Barnett of C9 Hotelworks says “while the recent upgrading of Phuket International Airport and new terminal has been a welcome change, the long-term reality is it’s just a band aid to a macro issue.

“ As Khao Lak continues growing along with the beach areas North of Phuket, the need to diversify Phang Nga’s rising tourism market with its own airport is Phuket’s Low Season Growth and China Drive Amass Record Numbers in 2017.”

Bolstered by a strong low season and double-digit China growth, Thailand’s leading resort destination Phuket has hit a historic high note.  For the year 2017, the island’s gateway airport posted 11.3% y-o-y growth to reach an estimated 8.4 million incoming passengers.  This was mainly driven by a 20% surge in Mainland Chinese travellers to the island and a rising number visitors during low season of 11.2% compared to the same period in 2016.

Full details are featured in the C9 Hotelwork’s newly released Phuket Hotel Market Update.

Download: https://www.c9hotelworks.com/downloads/phuket-hotel-market-update-2018-01.pdf