Frederic Lucron said that at present, 50 per cent of guests were general, 25-30 per cent business travellers and the rest a mixed lot.

The hotel plans to focus on the Meeting, Incentive, Convention and Exhibition (MICE) business this year.

"We expect the MICE business to grow by 45 per cent this year," said Lucron.

The hotel will participate in international travel fairs, including Spain's EIBTM in November. It will also approach new markets in Hong Kong, Singapore and India.

Lucron said the local MICE business had slumped in the past few months, due to the New Year's Eve Bangkok bombs.

However, he believes Thailand can attract more travellers and businessmen, because the Kingdom can offer a greater variety of products than can Singapore or Hong Kong.

Lucron added that Hilton would launch its new Doubletree brand in the Thai market in Chon Buri's Sri Racha district. Two new Hilton Hotels will also open on Koh Samui.

Suchat Sritama

The Nation