Why the Phuket MICE market is about to boom
Phuket’s increasingly prolific MICE market nearly doubled in year-on-year growth in 2017. As revenue for the segment skyrocketed from THB5.9 billion to a record-high THB 10.9 billion (USD…
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Phuket
Mandarin Oriental set to debut in Phuket, Thailand
Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group has announced that it will operate a new luxury resort on Phuket Island in Thailand, scheduled to open in 2022.
Akaryn launches luxury multi-location family holidays in Thailand
Boutique resort specialist Akaryn Hotel Group has come up with a new way for family groups to discover Thailand with a collection of ‘stress-free’ trips, in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Hua Hin and…
“First impressions count” says Impiana Resort Patong GM
Travel Daily speaks to general manager of Impiana Resort Patong, David McCallum
Osaka Castle to Ha Long Bay in half a day: Vietjet launches new route
Roll up, roll up! Vietnamese low cost carrier (LCC) Vietjet is celebrating two new routes by releasing tickets for one million flights for free.
Get imaginative with MICE at Phuket Marriott Resort & Spa, Merlin Beach
When it comes to meetings and events Thailand is one of the leading players with an almost overwhelming range of hotels and conventions centres to choose from, especially in Bangkok, but now…
AKSARA Collection promote Matthew C Hindmarch to director of hotels and resorts
The Pattaravornee family of Phuket has announced Matthew C Hindmarch, former Kata Sea Breeze Resort general manager and part of The SIS Kata Phuket development team, has now been promoted to…
AirAsia hits 10 in ASEAN “strategic crossroads” with direct flights to Phuket and Hanoi
Following on from our recent interview with Spencer Lee head of commercial for AirAsia Malaysia, where he discussed the growth of the carrier’s secondary hubs in Langkawi, Johor Bahru and…
Q&A: with Jean-Francois Moracchini, General Manager for Cachet Resort Dewa Phuket
Travel Daily catches up with Cachet Resorts’ go-getting new signing to get the low-down on Cachet Resort Dewa Phuket, ahead of its December launch.
Review: The Pavilions Phuket
Nestled into a verdant hillside on Phuket’s pristine west coast, The Pavilions provides the perfect place to unwind in space, style and luxurious comfort.
Q&A with Phuket Marriott Resort and Spa, Nai Yang Beach
Travel Daily catches up with David Ippersiel, GM of the Phuket Marriott Resort and Spa, Nai Yang Beach, for a rundown of the last year, the importance of MICE and plans for the future.
AirAsia brings the party to paradise
AirAsia’s newest route lets citizens of Macao and Mainland travel directly to Thailand’s paradise island of Phuket, flying daily and direct from Macao to Phuket starting this January 8,…
Cachet unveil newest hospitality brand in Phuket
Cachet Hospitality Group (CHG) is nearing completion of work on Cachet Resort Dewa Phuket, a 128-lifestyle resort set beside the tranquil shores of Nai Yang Beach, considered one of the most…
MontAzure wins five at Thailand Property Awards
Phuket’s MontAzure development in Kamala, performed very well for the second year running at Asia’s largest real estate awards.
MontAzure claimed the award for Best Mixed Use…
Custom Baked Wedding Cakes at The Nai Harn Phuket
The two- or three-tier personalised cakes offer sweet tidings for a successful marriage
Kata Group’s Beyond Patong ‘Deep Blue Sea’ Landmark
Kata Group’s new Beyond Patong to open as ‘Deep Blue Sea’ landmark Kata Group, one of Thailand’s leading hotel management companies, have opened an entirely new-build property, Beyond…
TripAdvisor reveals surging Chinese demand for Thailand travel
A new report from TripAdvisor has revealed that Chinese interest in travel to Thailand continues to soar, building on already strong visitor arrivals.
China was found to be the…
Star Cruises reveals triple Southeast Asian homeports
Star Cruises has revealed plans to homeport one of its ships in three Southeast Asian ports from next month.
From 3 September 2017 onwards, SuperStar Libra will be based at Kuala Lumpur,…
Phuket becomes Turkish Airlines’ 300th destination
Turkish Airlines has launched its inaugural flight to Phuket, which becomes the carrier's 300th destination worldwide.
The new route commenced on 17 July and will now operate four…
Phuket under pressure as tourism growth exposes issue of unlicensed hotels
One of Asia’s most desirable tourist destinations, Phuket is attracting an ever-increasing number of international visitors to its golden beaches and turquoise seas.
But many of the…
Nai Harn Phuket reveals rooftop sushi bar
The Nai Harn resort in Phuket has created the island’s first rooftop sushi and sashimi bar.
The new F&B outlet, Han-Sha, forms part of the resort's Reflections rooftop lounge,…
Air traffic increases all across Thailand
Passenger traffic at Thailand's airports continues to climb, with rising demand for travel to and from major hubs all across the country
According to data from Airports of Thailand…
Thailand plans new coast-to-coast railway
A new railway line is being planned in Thailand, connecting the country's Andaman and Gulf coasts.
The Bangkok Post reports that plans for the 77km-long line were unveiled at a public…
Asian air route updates, including multiple new flights between China and Thailand
Thailand's NewGen taps Chinese demand for Krabi
Where? Krabi (Thailand) to Hefei (China)
When? Three times a week, effective immediately
Who? NewGen Airways
Why? Thai carrier adds…
Long-haul holiday travel trends from Southall Travel
Booking data from travel company Southall Travel has revealed the top destinations of 2017.
The Thai island of Phuket is the most popular long-haul destination for sun-seeking Brits…
Cachet moves into Phuket with Dewa deal
Hong Kong's Cachet Hospitality Group (CHG) has agreed to take over Dewa Phuket, marking the company's entry into the popular Thai resort destination.
The luxury resort, which is located…
Hundreds of wedding planners converge in Phuket
A major convention was held in Phuket this week, gathering 450 wedding planners from 65 countries to the Thai island.
The fourth Destination Wedding Planners (DWP) Congress 2017 took…
Thailand hosts fam trip to mark new “Phuket Express”
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has teamed up with Thai Airways to celebrate the launch of the national carrier's new Beijing-Phuket flights.
The new route marks THAI's first…
Asian air route updates: Virgin Australia, Thai Lion, Air India and more…
Bangladesh gets low-cost Dubai link
Where? Dubai (UAE) to Sylhet (Bangladesh)
When? Four times a week, effective immediately (rising to six per week in May 2017)
Who? Flydubai
Why? New…
Asian air route updates: Malindo’s new Australian route, West Air flies to Japan, and more…
New Macau charters for Cambodia Angkor Air
Where? Sihanoukville (Cambodia) to Macau (China)
When? Twice a week, effective immediately
Who? Cambodia Angkor Air
Why? New charter service…
Phuket gets double cruise boost
Phuket's cruise sector received a major boost on Wednesday (8 March 2017), when two large Royal Caribbean ships called at the Thai resort island.
The Mariner of the Seas, which docked in…
Asian air route updates: Tigerair Taiwan, Sichuan Airlines and more
Jeju gets new budget service from Taiwan
Where? Taipei (Taiwan) to Jeju, pictured (South Korea)
When? Twice a day, effective 28 March 2017
Who? Tigerair Taiwan
Why? Low-cost carrier…
Asian air route updates: Air Canada, AirAsia, Air China and more
Air Canada launches Montreal-Shanghai
Where? Montreal (Canada) to Shanghai (China)
When? Daily, effective immediately
Who? Air Canada
Why? National carrier continues to expand…
Phuket tourism boosted by Russian rebound
Russian arrivals to Phuket have now rebounded, but the crackdown on so-called "zero-baht" tourism from China has hindered growth.
According to a new report from C9 Hotelworks, total…
BHMAsia to open eight hotels as Asian expansion accelerates
BHMAsia, the Bangkok-based hotel group, is planning to following up its record year in 2016 with the opening of multiple new properties this year.
The company, which operates the X2,…
Banyan Tree develops beachfront condos in Phuket
Banyan Tree has revealed plans to develop its first condominium project in Thailand, under the Angsana brand.
The new beachfront development will rise on the shores of Bang Tao Beach,…
Phuket hoteliers join forces to promote island
The recently-launched Phuket Hotels Association has unveiled its new “Brand Phuket”, which is aimed creating a unified marketing stance for the popular Thai resort island.
Unveiled at…
Asian air route updates: HK Express, Tianjin Airlines and more
HK Express completes Pacific island double
Where? Hong Kong to Saipan (Northern Mariara Islands)
When? Three times a week, effective immediately
Who? HK Express
Why? New leisure travel…
AccorHotels heads to the hills in Phuket
AccorHotels has expanded its portfolio in Phuket with the launch of a new luxury resort set back from the beach, in the hills overlooking the Andaman Sea.
The new Avista Hideaway…
Ibiza’s famed Cafe del Mar arrives in Asia
Cafe del Mar, the famous beach club and music label, will arrive in Asia for the first time with the opening of a new venue at Phuket's Kamala Bay.
The new beach club will form part…
New management for Phuket’s Boathouse
The famed Boathouse hotel in Phuket is now under new management.
The 38-room property at Kata Beach, which was formerly known as Mom Tri's Boathouse, was previously managed by…
Jetstar adds festive flights to Asia
Australian low-cost carrier Jetstar has announced plans to increase the number of flights it offers over the festive season, including extra capacity to Asia.
Until the end of January…
Novotel Phuket Resort gets a makeover
Twenty years after opening its doors, the Novotel Phuket Resort has undergone a major makeover.
The hotel's 217 rooms have undergone a complete renovation, and the number of room…
Dusit’s D2 brand returns to Phuket
Thai hotel group Dusit International has confirmed that its D2 brand will return to Phuket.
The previous D2 hotel in Patong Beach was recently rebranded as a Swissotel, but Dusit has now…
Cape & Kantary plans new Thai island resort
Cape & Kantary Hotels has unveiled a new luxury resort on the Thai island of Koh Yao Noi.
The Cape Kudu Hotel, which is a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH), is planning…
THAI boosts European links with Phuket
Thai Airways has unveiled a series of new flights for its 2016-17 winter schedule, including new services direct between Phuket and Europe.
This week, the national carrier launched a new…
New Thai MICE portal goes live
A new website dedicated to Thailand's MICE industry was launched this week.
Created by Image Asia Events, the new meetinthailand.com portal will initially focus on Phuket, before…
Malindo to fly direct to Phuket
Malindo Air, the Malaysian carrier, will launch direct flights between Kuala Lumpur and Phuket next month.
Commencing on 10 November 2016, the airline will offer four weekly flights to…
Mövenpick seals new hotel trio in Thailand
Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts' Asian expansion plans have been given a significant lift, with the signing of a major contract for three properties in Thailand.
The deal with real estate…
Phuket’s new airport terminal opens to ease congestion
The new terminal at Phuket International Airport will open this week, providing a much-needed capacity boost for the island.
The Bangkok Post reports that all international flights will…
Thai Vietjet takes off with three domestic routes
Thai Vietjet has finally announced its entry into Thailand’s domestic market with the launch of three new routes.
The budget airline has been operating international routes from Bangkok…
Wyndham makes Grand entrance into Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia’s first Wyndham Grand hotel will open in Phuket later this year.
Wyndham Hotel Group has announced the signing of a management agreement with Parisorn Company for the new…
Thailand beefs up tourist security after bombings
The Thai government has stepped up security across the country following a wave of bombings that struck several southern resort destinations late last week.
The police presence has…
Deadly bomb attacks target Thai tourist resorts
A series of explosions has killed at least three people and injured dozens more - including several tourists - in southern Thailand.
One of the worst attacks appears to have taken place…
Phuket’s Indigo Pearl becomes The Slate
Indigo Pearl, the designer beachfront hotel in Phuket, is being rebranded as The Slate.
The resort, which is a member of the Design Hotels collection, was designed by Bill Bensley in…
Banyan Tree launches Angsana Villas in Phuket
Singapore's Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts has launched the Angsana Villas Resort Phuket, a new villa resort in the island's Laguna resort complex.
Rebranded from the former…
Chinese LCC adds multiple new flights to Thailand
China's largest low-cost carrier will launch a series of new routes to Thailand this summer.
Commencing on 1 July, Spring Airlines will launch four weekly flights to Bangkok from…
Marriott unveils new Phuket beach resort
Marriott has continued the expansion of its Thai portfolio with the launch of a new upscale beach resort in Phuket.
The new Phuket Marriott Resort & Spa Nai Yang Beach has now…
Hyatt launches new brand in Southeast Asia
A new Hyatt Place hotel has opened in Phuket, marking the brand's arrival in Southeast Asia.
Hyatt Place Phuket Patong is a 161-room beachfront hotel, located in the centre of Phuket's…
Swissôtel takes over Dusit in Thai expansion
Swissôtel will expand its Thai hotel portfolio this summer when it takes over the management of a Dusit property in Phuket.
In June 2016, the existing dusitD2 Phuket Resort, which is…
137 Pillars Hotels launches in Thailand and plans rapid expansion
A new luxury boutique hotel company has launched in Thailand and is planning a swift expansion of its portfolio.
137 Pillars Hotels & Resorts takes its name from the 30-suite 137…
Wyndham’s Days Inn hotel brand debuts in Thailand
Wyndham Hotel Group has opened its first Days Inn hotel in Thailand.
The new Days Inn Patong Beach Phuket is a 122-room hotel located in Phuket's main resort area, six minutes'…
AccorHotels pens triple deal in Phuket
AccorHotels has significantly expanded its presence in Phuket with the signing of a deal for three more properties.
The agreement, penned with Avista Resort & Spa Patong Company,…
InterContinental to open luxury resort in Phuket
IHG has signed a management agreement for its first luxury InterContinental resort in Phuket.
Scheduled to open in 2019, the new-build InterContinental Phuket Resort will be located…
Eurowings opens new market for Lufthansa, and for Asia
Eurowings' new low-cost flights to Thailand have opened up an entirely new market for the Lufthansa Group, focusing on price-sensitive leisure travellers, according to Dirk Grossmann,…
Pullman takes over Phuket resort
AccorHotels has continued to expand its Pullman brand in Southeast Asia with the rebranding of an upscale resort in Phuket.
The Radisson Blu Plaza Resort Phuket has been taken over by…
New all-suite boutique hotel opens in Phuket
Thailand's Wabi Sabi Boutique Hotels Group will open a new property in Phuket this week.
Scheduled to welcome its first guests on 15 January, the Wabi Sabi Boutique Hotel Kamala…
AirAsia links Phuket with Wuhan
Thai AirAsia has unveiled plans to launch the first direct service between Phuket and Wuhan.
Commencing on 1 February, in time for Chinese New Year, the new route will operate daily…
Best Western adds new upscale resort in Phuket
Best Western Hotels & Resorts has unveiled plans to open a new upscale resort in Phuket.
The company has signed an agreement to operate the brand new Best Western Premier Himalai…
IHG signs first Hotel Indigo in Phuket
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has signed an agreement to open the first Hotel Indigo in Phuket.
The upscale boutique brand will arrive on the Thai resort island in 2018, with…
Starwood to add another Sheraton in Phuket
Starwood Hotels & Resorts has expanded its portfolio in Phuket with the signing of an agreement for a new Sheraton Grand property.
Scheduled to open in January 2019, the Sheraton…
Ministry of Sound plans beach parties in Phuket
Global dance music names Ministry of Sound and Hed Kandi will soon arrive on the shores of Phuket, following the signing of a new partnership with the recently-opened Dream Beach club.…
German LCC starts flying to Thailand
Eurowings, Germany's low-cost leisure carrier, has launched its first flights to Thailand.
The first new direct route from Cologne-Bonn Airport to Phuket departed on Friday, while the…
New pool villa resort opens in Phuket
A new luxury pool villa resort has opened its doors in the Kamala area of Phuket.
Keemala features 38 villas, which range in size from 126m² to 180m² and all come equipped with their…
Anantara unveils luxury residences in Phuket
A new range of luxury residences have been unveiled at the Anantara Layan Phuket Resort.
The new Residences by Anantara provide 15 two-storey homes on Phuket’s west coast, offering…
Twinpalms Phuket plans new luxury residences
The luxury Twinpalms resort in Phuket has partnered with development company MontAzure to create a new luxury residential complex on the Thai resort island.
Set on 100 metres of…
Seven up for Wyndham in Southeast Asia
Wyndham Hotel Group's Southeast Asian expansion plans have taken a major step forward with the signing of agreements for seven new properties in the region.
The new deals, which were…
Regent Phuket becomes Amatara Resort
The Regent Phuket Cape Panwa resort has been rebranded. The luxury property on Phuket's southeast coast has been taken over by Thailand's Amatara and renamed as the Amatara Resort &…
Phuket flights disrupted as haze creeps north
The haze from Indonesian forest fires that has been blanketing Singapore and parts of Malaysia in recent weeks has now drifted as far as southern Thailand.
Traffic at Phuket…
GTA, TAT unveil new campaign to drive Thailand’s tourism recovery
GTA has launched a new initiative aimed helping Thailand’s tourism industry recover from last month’s bombing in Bangkok.
The company unveiled its 'Thailand, Stronger Together' campaign…
20 new Dream Hotels to launch in Asia
Singapore’s Castlewood Group is planning to roll-out at least 20 new Dream Hotels in Asia over the next decade.
The company has formed a partnership with New York-based Début Hotel…
Second Ramada opens in Phuket
Wyndham Hotel Group has opened a new Ramada hotel in Phuket.
Located in the main Patong Beach area of the island, the Ramada Phuket Deevana becomes the brand's second property in…
Kazakhstan’s Air Astana spreads wings in Thailand
Kazakhstan's national carrier, Air Astana, has expanded its route map in Thailand with the signing of a new codeshare agreement with Bangkok Airways.
The new deal will enable Air…
Emirates adds more flights to Phuket
Emirates will increase its capacity to Phuket later this year, with the launch of four new weekly flights.
Commencing on 1 December 2015, the new flights will boost the capacity of…
Banyan Tree to launch first Cassia in Phuket
Banyan Tree has confirmed that its new serviced apartment concept, Cassia, will make its debut in Phuket in October 2015.
Located in the Laguna Phuket complex, alongside the existing…
Royal Phuket Yacht Club to rebrand as The Nai Harn
The former Royal Phuket Yacht Club will be relaunched as The Nai Harn on 16 January 2016.
Located close to Phuket's southernmost tip, the property was sold in May 2014 to a private equity…
Virgin Australia cuts Phuket, Tigerair flies to Bali
Virgin Australia will cease operating its Perth-Phuket route and will transfer three of its Bali routes to Tigerair as part of a major revision of its short-haul international network.…
Emirates expands Asian connectivity with Bangkok Airways
Emirates has significantly expanded its network in Southeast Asia with the signing of a codeshare partnership with Bangkok Airways.
Under the agreement, Emirates' international passengers…
Thailand’s Kata Resorts raises funds for major expansion
Kata Group Resorts, the Thailand-based hospitality company, is preparing to embark on a major new phase of expansion.
The company is preparing to undertake an IPO in 2017, in a move…
Manathai unveils details of Phuket resort
Manathai Hotels & Resorts, the new and fast-expanding Thai hotel group, has unveiled details of its first property in Phuket.
Set to launch on 1 November 2015, the new Manathai…
Variety Hotels adds Phuket resort
Thailand's Variety Hotels has taken over the management of a resort in Phuket.
The Sea Sun Sand Resort & Spa joined Variety this month, becoming the company's 10th Thai property…
Skal slams Phuket dolphinarium plan
Skal International has strongly criticised plans to open a dolphinarium in Phuket, calling the proposed attraction an "outrage".
The tourism industry body's Phuket and Southern Thailand…
Premier Inn to debut in Phuket
Premier Inn, UK-based budget hotel group, has continued its expansion in Southeast Asia with the announcement of its first hotel in Phuket.
Due to open its doors in early 2017, the…
New Eurowings to fly long-haul from October
Lufthansa's new low-cost carrier, Eurowings, will commence long-haul operations in fourth quarter of 2015 with flights to Thailand, the Caribbean and Middle East.
Ticket sales have…
Movenpick revamps rooms and restaurants in Phuket
The Movenpick Resort & Spa Karon Beach Phuket has completed the refurbishment of some of its rooms and restaurants.
The project has seen the addition of 18 family rooms and a…
Qatar Airways extends network in Southeast Asia
Qatar Airways is now able to offer more destinations in Southeast Asia following the expansion of its codeshare partnership with Bangkok Airways.
The Doha-based carrier will now be…
Andakira Crest to become new luxury resort in Phuket
Work is underway on a major new luxury resort project near Phuket's main tourist destination, Patong.
Located on a hillside plot at the southern end of Patong, the new Andakira Crest…
Phuket’s Trisara Academy to launch first hotel internships
Trisara Academy, the Phuket-based hotel training school operated by Montara Hospitality Group, is launching its new internship programme.
The three-month programme will begin on 2…
Thai hotel sector starts to rebound
Hotels in Thailand are starting to see the green shoots of recovery, following a dismal first half of 2014.
According to the full-year data from STR Global, the recovery began late in…
Laguna Phuket unveils revamped golf course
The Laguna Phuket resort complex has opened its newly revamped golf course, following a major upgrade to all 18 holes.
Canadian designer Paul Jansen, who previously worked with Sir…
Hilton to arrive at Patong
Hilton has announced plans to expand its presence in Phuket, with the launch of a new hotel in the island's main resort destination, Patong.
Scheduled to open in the first quarter of…
First ever flights to link Shenyang with Phuket
China Southern Airlines will launch the first ever scheduled flights connecting Shenyang with Phuket this month.
Commencing on 18 December 2014, the airline will operate three weekly…
Centara to relaunch revamped Phuket resort
Centara is about to relaunch a family resort in Phuket in time for the high season.
The company took control of the Blue Marine Resort & Spa Phuket in January 2014, and set about…
Phuket tops Chinese travel search lists
Phuket was the most searched-for international destination by Chinese travellers during this year’s Mid-Autumn Festival, which ran from 6-8 September 2014.
According to data released…
Thailand relaxes curfew for Pattaya, Koh Samui and Phuket
A curfew placed on Thailand has been lifted in the beach resorts of Pattaya, Koh Samui and Phuket.
The regulation was lifted from the three resorts last night to ease tourism concerns…
Laguna Phuket opens up to GCC visitors
The launch of services by Gulf carriers to Phuket has opened up access to the island for holidaymakers throughout the GCC countries.
Daily services by Emirates, Etihad and Qatar Airways'…
Thomson to fly Dreamliner to Phuket
Thomson and First Choice have announced they will become the first tour operator to operate direct flights to Phuket from the UK next winter.
The travel company will launch flights to the…
Huge quakes trigger Asian tsunami alert
Two massive earthquakes struck off the coast of Indonesia yesterday, triggering tsunami alerts across the Indian Ocean.
The 8.6- and 8.3-magnitude quakes occurred within hours of each other…
All eyes on Phuket
International hotel management companies are searching for new projects in Phuket as the city continues to out-perform its Asian rivals for tourists demanding luxury accommodation.…
