Caroline Puechoultres, president and CEO for the Asia-Pacific, said Club Med  was conducting a feasibility study and looking for an area of at least 150 square rai to build the village.

"Samui will probably be the first place for expansion in Thailand," she said.

Puechoultres added the group would target adult tourists rather than the mixed market as in Phuket, where Club Med opened a children's Mini Club in January.

"We must diversify the marketing position between the two villages in order to serve different markets," she said.

The group has 80 properties worldwide, including nine in the Asia-Pacific region. It offers a big range of holidays, from ski resorts to tropical beaches and cruises. Each of its villages focuses on a different market.

Club Med is also planning to open villages in Vietnam, Cambodia, India, Sri Lanka, Fiji and China, where its two properties will be a mountain village and a beach resort. It will also open a second village in the Maldives and a third one in Japan.

Puechoultres said Club Med Phuket was providing one of the company's best financial returns because it was operating with lower costs.

The group has been operating in Phuket for 22 years. The business was badly damaged by the 2004 tsunami, but it has recovered along with the overall tourism business in southern Thailand.

Club Med has spent Bt250 million on renovations and adding facilities in order to attract international tourists back to Phuket. The village has 13 new suites, upgraded guestrooms and its children's club. Another 20 to 30 villas are planned.

Puechoultres said 50 per cent of guests were from overseas, while the rest were Thais and expats, particularly Japanese and French.

The property has an occupancy rate of 90 per cent in the peak season from October to April. It is expected to fall to 70 per cent from May to September.

"This year, we will focus on more corporate groups by adding more sales representative to approach targeted companies, as well as providing more activities at the village to meet business needs," said Puechoultres.

Suchat Sritama

The Nation