Banyan Tree Holdings said yesterday it would open new hotels and resorts in Bahrain, Hainan (China) and the United Arab Emirates next year. These will be followed in 2008 by properties in Punta Diamante and Mayakoba (both Mexico), Barbados, Morocco, Bali, Pilos (Greece), and another in the United Arab Emirates.

A third United Arab Emirates property will open in 2009, as will a hotel in the Maldives.

Thailand will not miss out on the expansion. Banyan Tree Koh Samui will open in 2008, and Banyan Tree Chiang Mai in 2009.

New resorts under the "Angsana" brand name are scheduled to open in the Maldives and Dubai next year; England, Phuket, Bali and Sri Lanka in 2008; and Abu Dhabi in 2009.

Executive, Linda Lee, said the group would use Thailand as a gateway into China, as well as neighbouring countries. More international tourists are expected to travel from Thailand to southern China following the opening this month of the Banyan Tree Lijiang. This follows the launch of the Banyan Tree Ringha in Yunnan province last September.

Lee said Ringha is in a mountainous area that has been designated as the official Shangri-La by the Chinese government and is part of Greater Tibet, both historically and culturally.

The 32 lodges and suites, set 3,200 metres above sea level, are of Tibetan farmhouse design with wooden balconies with a valley or river view.

To encourage more visitors to southern China, the group is offering a rate of US$540 (Bt20,500) per couple per day to stay at the resort. The offer runs until March 31 next year.

Meanwhile, a further 22 "double pool" villas have opened at Banyan Tree Phuket. Rates start at $2,000 per night.

Suchat Sritama

The Nation