Hyatt Regency Hua Hin refocuses on short-haul markets

Hyatt Regency Hua Hin is reacting to rising oil prices by shifting its focus to short-haul markets and promoting The Barai destination spa to draw international guests.

Hotel general manger Sammy Carolus said the number of visitors from long-haul markets such as North America and some countries in Europe had decreased because of the higher cost of travel, particularly air fares.

However, arrivals in Hua Hin have seen positive figures as many tourists avoid travelling to Japan and the Middle East, as well as to Southern Thailand because of the recent flooding. Tourist numbers from the United Kingdom, Germany, India, the Netherlands and Scandinavian countries have continued growing this year.

To maintain growth in an unsteady market, the hotel this year is focusing more on the Singapore, Indonesia, India and Philippines markets as tourists from these countries consider shifting their plans from Japan to Thailand.

The hotel has gained a lot more wedding business from India and from meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions (MICE) businesses.

"Hua Hin is now the safest destination for tourists. It is free from political problems and natural disasters," he said.

Carolus added that the hotel would promote The Barai, the self-contained spa resort managed by Hyatt Regency Hua Hin, as a new destination spa.

The hotel has invited well-known spa and holistic experts, including a German holistic |practitioner, Karina Wagner, to the hotel to help draw international guests.

It will soon bring in more famous spa experts to widen its appeal internationally.

Carolus said the hotel had completed the first phase of a renovation worth more than Bt120 million, mainly in the main lobby, club rooms and the club lounge.

The hotel is planning a three-year renovation that will include the fitness centre, villas and guest rooms.

The hotel projects business to grow by 15-20 per cent this year. It is running a 76-per-cent average occupancy rate this month, higher than the 73 per cent in April last year.

He said other luxury hotels in Hua Hin and Cha-am were also enjoying high occupancy rates this year. However, there are many luxury and budget hotels under construction and due to open nearby soon.