Indigo Pearl Phuket is building a new spa complex worth Bt70 million set to open late this year.
It is another major investment, following completion of a multimillion baht refurbishing of the hotel a few years ago. "It will be something very new in Phuket," said Wichit na Ranong, the hotel's managing director.
He said the hotel industry in Phuket had recovered. Many hotel operators including Indigo Pearl are overbooked through April, which is normally a slow time. At the International Tourism Bourse in Germany, some agents came to make contracts even without prior appointments.
According to Wichit, Phuket hotels are running as high as 80-90-per-cent occupancy, which is much higher than last year. The operators expect business to grow 6-7 percent this year thanks to the global economic recovery. "Meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions (MICE) have recovered faster than expected," he added.
Indigo Pearl Phuket is running 80-90 percent average occupancy rate and sees positive prospects through the year.
More than 5.5 million international tourists are expected to visit the island this year, up from 5 million is 2009.
Somboon Chirayus, president of the Phuket Tourism Association and deputy managing director of The Merlin Hotel Phuket, said the island should gain more visitors this year as many airlines plan to add more charter flights into Phuket during the next high season.
According to Wichit, most tourists are not worried about current political unrest in the country.
"There are still more hotel projects in the island, while market demand is bouncing back," said Wichit.
