Blue Tree Phuket Appoints Michael Ayling as GM

Blue Tree Phuket has appointed Michael Ayling, a veteran of Phuket’s hospitality scene, as General Manager.

Having worked in a consulting capacity on the project for the past 24 months, Mr Ayling now takes the reins of the development, beginning with its opening to the public in early 2019.

The UK-born leisure industry professional brings a wealth of experience to the role including 12 years at Laguna Phuket.

“I am delighted to have the opportunity to be involved in such an ambitious project on this scale,” Mr Ayling said. “Blue Tree will become a new icon for Phuket and it will help reshape the image of one of the world’s best-loved holiday destinations. Having been a part of the team for the past two years, from the master planning stages to partnership selections and management, I am extremely excited to now lead Blue Tree and ensure it will deliver a unique family experience to local Thais, expatriate residents and international visitors to the island.”

While working for Laguna Resorts & Hotels, a subsidiary of the Singapore-listed Banyan Tree Holdings, Mr Ayling oversaw the operations of eight different hotels – including two Banyan Trees, a Dusit Thani and Sheraton Grande – and a golf course, in addition to property development, construction, marketing and sales operations for over 400 residences.

Prior to joining Laguna in 2000, he spent more than a decade working in the professional service industry for KPMG, initially at its office in Oxford, England before relocating with the firm to Papua New Guinea.

“Phuket will of course always be known for its spectacular sea and sand, but there’s been a clear demand for inland entertainment alternatives for some time now,” Mr Ayling said. “Blue Tree will offer an immersive lifestyle experience that combines the fun of water sports, family activities, retail and relaxation in one strategically located destination that will cater precisely to this demand.”

The sprawling 56-acre (140-rai) project will pre-launch in August. Facilities within the 28-acre first phase, which opens to the public in the first quarter of 2019, includes a Water and Entertainment park, a four-storey vertical Beach Club, Fitness Zone, Kid’s Club and multiple retail spaces. In addition, 17 restaurants and food outlets will cater to all tastes and budgets, centred around the complex’s star attraction: Blue Tree Lagoon. The17,000-square-metre man-made lagoon is flanked by artificial beaches and offers an aquatic playground for family-friendly and adrenaline-driven activities such as Slip-N-Fly water slides, splash zone and even cliff jumping.

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