PHUKET will enter 2012 with an additional 2071 rooms opened this year, taking the Phuket total to 43,036, says Suchart Hirankanokkul, President of the Thai Hotels Southern Chapter.
A moratorium on resort building of the kind that has been imposed in Phuket's largest regional rival, Bali, was not possible under Thai law.
In any case, Khun Suchart said: ''If we stop building hotels and tourists keep on growing in numbers, where will they stay? Phuket needs more resorts, but we need to make sure the management process is as it should be.''
Much of the development over the next two years is taking place in and around Patong. Patong Mayor Pian Keesin told Phuketwan ''Bali can do this because their religion is so strongly connected to the law.
''If we wish to protect the environment, it would be good to follow their lead. This would be a good thing. But they can do it, and we cannot.''
Khun Suchart said that he believed Phuket was continuing to move up as a four and five star destination, and the question of the quality of future tourists was in the hands of the resorts.
By providing better service and better value, the better prices would ensure that the quality of tourists rose rather than fell, he said.
On Khun Suchart's list of openings for 2011 are the West Sands Resort (426 rooms) and the Holiday Inn (244 rooms) in Mai Khao, the Novotel Phuket Kamala Bay (305 rooms) and the Novotel Phuket Dahlia (305 rooms) in Patong, as well as the Regent Phuket Cape Panwa (106 rooms) and the Four Points by Sheraton (200 rooms.)
A change in management, though, appears to have led to the Four Points by Sheraton brand going elsewhere on the island, with the Cape Panwa resort's opening pushed back from March to April.
Phuket Dive Reefs Rescue Plan Aims for Quotas, Zones, ControlsA moratorium on resort building of the kind that has been imposed in Phuket's largest regional rival, Bali, was not possible under Thai law.
In any case, Khun Suchart said: ''If we stop building hotels and tourists keep on growing in numbers, where will they stay? Phuket needs more resorts, but we need to make sure the management process is as it should be.''
Much of the development over the next two years is taking place in and around Patong. Patong Mayor Pian Keesin told Phuketwan ''Bali can do this because their religion is so strongly connected to the law.
''If we wish to protect the environment, it would be good to follow their lead. This would be a good thing. But they can do it, and we cannot.''
Khun Suchart said that he believed Phuket was continuing to move up as a four and five star destination, and the question of the quality of future tourists was in the hands of the resorts.
By providing better service and better value, the better prices would ensure that the quality of tourists rose rather than fell, he said.
On Khun Suchart's list of openings for 2011 are the West Sands Resort (426 rooms) and the Holiday Inn (244 rooms) in Mai Khao, the Novotel Phuket Kamala Bay (305 rooms) and the Novotel Phuket Dahlia (305 rooms) in Patong, as well as the Regent Phuket Cape Panwa (106 rooms) and the Four Points by Sheraton (200 rooms.)
A change in management, though, appears to have led to the Four Points by Sheraton brand going elsewhere on the island, with the Cape Panwa resort's opening pushed back from March to April.
Reefs Rescue A strategy to zone coral reefs for scuba diving and snorkelling, to set quotas and time limits, and to properly train group guides emerges at a key Khao Lak seminar.
Phuket Dive Reefs Rescue Plan Aims for Quotas, Zones, Controls
Phuket to Add More Than 2000 Resort Rooms in 2011
Latest Phuket is gaining more than 2000 resort rooms in 2011. What are the prospects of a moratorium on resort building, as in Bali? It's not possible under Thai law, say experts.
Phuket to Add More Than 2000 Resort Rooms in 2011
UNHCR Given Access to Thailand's Captive Boatpeople
Latest As concern mounts about whether one group of boatpeople have been pushed back in peril at sea by Thai authorities, the UN's refugee agency gains permission to access 135 others.
UNHCR Given Access to Thailand's Captive Boatpeople
Phuket Governor to Fly from India for Hon Con's Meeting
Latest Phuket's governor is on the pilgrimage of a lifetime to some of the holy shrines that are part of the life and teachings of Buddha. More practical expat concerns await on his return.
Phuket Governor to Fly from India for Hon Con's Meeting
Phuket Set to Benefit Big Time, Says PM's Anchalee
Latest The time is right for Phuket to make big decisions about tourism and the region, PM Secretary General Anchalee Vanich says. Phuket can ''achieve everything it needs'' now.
Phuket Set to Benefit Big Time, Says PM's Anchalee
"If we stop building hotels and tourists keep on growing in numbers, where will they stay? Phuket needs more resorts"
Yea. Bring it on, can't have these tourists sleeping in the street or airport arrivals hall and eating and drinking at the 7/11 or off street carts.
I don't see the need for more tourists if the ones that already come here can't be treated in a proper manner and swim in pollution free water. Has anyone seen or smelt Patong lately?
From Chang Mai to Chalong we continually hear alarming reports from eating poisoned foodstuffs, drowning the first day or being blatantly ripped off. They come here for a holiday not an ordeal or something worse to return home in a box or an urn.
It would be nice to clean up the backyard first before opening the front gate.
Posted by innocent bystander on February 11, 2011 11:58