Proud confident in Phuket’s future
WI TH Phuket’s property market continuing to show real demand, Proud Group has decided to expand its businesses to Phuket by investing 7 billion baht in two new projects.
The first is Andamanda, a 4.5 billion baht ($1.46 billion) integrated entertainment and resort destination that is set to be the largest of its kind in Phuket when it opens in 2021. The second, the InterContinental Phuket luxury hotel and resort, is expected to be operating with full services in the third quarter of this year.
The projects are being marketed as “eco-friendly”. They will support local products and help boost local employment to enhance the sustainable development of tourism while applying innovative technology solutions to ensure customer service excellence, said a release from the company on Tuesday.
Proudputh Liptapanlop, a Proud Group executive director, said the attraction expects to welcome over
700,000 visitors within the first year.
Pasu Liptapanlop, also an executive director, said their strategy is to be able to accommodate tourists, especially millennials and families, by offering unique travel experiences.
“We believe that it will be a new iconic landmark for Phuket and support Phuket’s image and positioning to truly be among the world-class entertainment destinations,” said Pasu. “Additionally, the opening of these projects will also help boost the economy, employment and incomes in local communities in Phuket and its surroundings.”
The 2.5 billion baht InterContinental Phuket Resort will differentiate itself from other existing five-star hotels by showcasing exquisite Thai handicrafts and the collections of local artists, such as a sculpture that reflects Thai beliefs and culture about heaven and earth.
It was crafted by Komkrit Teptian, a local Thai artist who was well-known for his Giant Twins statue that was exhibit at the Bangkok Art Biennale event. Another highlight is a series of paintings of local tourist attractions by Dr Khan Payungphan, a local artist and a Fine Arts professor at the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at Phuket Rajabhat University.
InterContinental Phuket Resort was designed by the well-known architect and interior firm Habita and P49 design and associates under the concept “heaven on earth”.
The exterior and interior details embrace the true beauty of “Thai-ness” while reflecting its rich heritage and culture, delivering a memorable leisure experience.
The hotel will also present a new style of Thai food to complete a special travel experience. In addition, the Proud Group is pushing for the InterContinental Phuket Resort to comply with the LEED Green Building construction standards at the Gold level. Every detail of design and creativity must take into consideration the concept of environmental protection, said the release.
Krisda Rojanasomsmithi, the director for Hotels of Proud Group, sees the tourism outlook for Phuket as being on the bright side.
In the first half of this year, almost six million visitors travelled through Phuket airport despite the downside news about the tourism situation.
With convenient transportation, wellestablished public utilities, the upgrading of the current Phuket airport and the expansion of the second airport, along with the government’s new policy to promote Phuket and Andaman as a 365-day destination with no high or low season, Krisda said Proud Grow was assured that Phuket will become the must-visit destination for all.
While China remains one of their major target countries, the firm is also looking into other potential markets such as Russia, the UK and India.