Krabi plans Bt1-bn marina projects
Krabi is planning to invest about Bt1 billion to build three marinas serving 1,000 yachts by 2008, the president of the Krabi Tourist Association said yesterday.
Ittirit Kinglek said the money would come through a co-investment between the public and private sectors.The project will include a Bt500-million marina that will be developed by the Krabi Provincial Administration Organisation and foreign investors. It will have the capacity to serve 150-200 yachts. Krabi Municipality and private investors will build a Bt300-million marina to serve 50 yachts, and other private investors are planning to build a Bt200-million marina. It is hoped that Krabi will become a major destination for high-end travellers within one to two years. This type of traveller tends to stay at one destination for a long time and spends more than other groups. Phuket is currently a favourite destination for yacht-owners. Krabi mayor Keratesuk Phukaoluan said the Bt300-million marina that the municipality hoped to build would require a Bt80-million investment. In addition, the province will have to compete with the nearby province of Phang Nga, which has its own Bt50 million-Bt60 million marina project in the works. Krabi Municipality's marina will occupy 130 rai on the Krabi River at Thara public park. The Marine Department will handle the construction and the municipality will manage the marina. Keratesuk said Krabi's marina projects were part of the province's plan to develop itself into one of the most modern of the 14 southern provinces by 2026. Its other developments include plans to improve its fresh-food markets. He said Krabi wanted to attract more luxury travellers by offering more value-added services and maintaining the province's scenic offerings. Ittirit said Krabi currently had 300 hotels and resorts, with 11,000 rooms. Half of the facilities have conference rooms. Most of the new hotels and residences being built there target the luxury market. The number of visitors to Krabi has almost returned to pre-tsunami levels. The province expects to attract 1.8 million visitors this year and an annual two million in three years, said Keratesuk. Ittirit said the Krabi Tourist Association also expected to reach out to potential new markets, particularly to travellers from the Middle East, which tend to like to leave their countries during the hot season. In addition, they spend twice as much as European travellers and tend to stay longer. The Krabi Tourist Association is planning to hold a road show in Dubai and other countries to attract more travellers. In addition, tourism officials are working on promoting the province's history to attract more cultural tourists. Nitida Asawanipont The Nation KRABI
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