PHUKET – Laguna Phuket, the luxury resort complex on Bangtao Beach, says it plans to look towards China and the Middle East next year to compensate for a continuing plunge in bookings from European tourists.
The operators expect the global financial crisis and domestic political unrest in Thailand to continue to impact international arrivals next year, particularly Europeans, long the primary component in the resort’s guest lists.
Debbie Dionysius, senior marketing director at Laguna Resorts and Hotels, operators of the complex, told the Phuket Gazette the political chaos was already hurting the company.
She said arrivals from key long haul markets like Australia and Europe, particularly Russia, Germany, Switzerland and Scandinavia, had showed a 12% year-on-year drop in the third quarter.
“Many overseas governments have issued travel warnings for Thailand, and that has hit the country’s hotel business,” Dionysius said.
As a result, Laguna will temporarily stop focusing on Europe and turn to other potential markets to fill its rooms. The company plans to target China and the Middle East, with more spa, golfing and shopping packages.
“We’re working with Shanghai Airlines, which is now operating direct flights into Phuket, to encourage Chinese and other Asian tourists,” said Dionysius.
