PHUKET ARCADIA INVESTS 500 MILLION ON NEW PHASE TO AIM AT MICE

“ 500 million Baht is to be spent adding more than 220 rooms at the Phuket Arcadia Resort Hotel. The expansions is currently under the piling stage and expected to be completed by the end of 2000.” Maitree Narukatpichai, Director/General Manager of Phuket Arcadia said.

At the moment, the hotel has 475 rooms. After expanding another 220 rooms, it will be the one with the highest number of rooms which are 695 rooms. The new wing as called Arcadia Grand, is built under the concept of true resort over phase I and II which are high rise. That is why only 3-4 floors, gently sloped, are designed for this new project. Everything here will be of higher standard than the old ones. Rooms are deluxe and suite category decorated in modern Thai style, more private and comfortable in homely atmosphere and perfect for F.I.T. markets, consequently 80 percent of rooms are sea view while the rest overlook the split level of large pool and big sparkling lagoon.

Mr.Maitree also added, “ The fact that we invest today might seem a little bit weird, but we have seen the growing trend of Phuket for quite a few years. Last year, the average room occupancy was as high as 80-90%. Particularly, in high season, so lots of European and Asian guests keep coming that we do not have enough rooms for all. So more rooms are needed. In selling rooms, Mr. Thammajak Lurngprasert, Director of Marketing and Mr. Somyot Yasavuthi, Director of Sales will be in charge. 4 target markets are set. First, MICE. Arcadia will be the center of MICE. The existing 475 rooms will be aimed at MICE since we have a big function room, able to accommodate 1,300 persons on that area whereas the new phase will be targeted to F.I.T. clients. In the past, we have always regretted refusing to confirm space for such big groups due of lack of rooms. Second, keep the existing customer base and also find new groups with new products at the same time. Third, expand into new markets like Switzerland, U.K. Fourth, join with Thai Airway by giving 50% special discount in doing packages for Thai people. We also hire more 200 staff to support this new phase in the end of October 2000.

The upcoming international seminar group are ISPAC’99, organized by King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology, Lardkrabang (KMITL) in December 1999 and Achievers Club/Lucent Technologies group from U.S.A. in January 2000.

Phuket Arcadia Resort Hotel, located on totally 75 acres on Karon Beach, has been founded for 13 years. 75 % are guests from Europe and 25% From Asian and Thai.