ANANTARA is the latest resort brand to open on Phuket, and the first since the fuss over the three-day airport blockade and the state of emergency in Bangkok.
''What problem?'' That was the general reaction experienced by Anantara's Director of Sales and Marketing, Narelle McDougall, in Europe over the past couple of weeks.
''In Germany and in the UK, there was virtually no reaction,'' she said. ''In Singapore and Korea and Japan, perhaps there was more awareness. It was those regional markets that suffered the most.
''It's very unfortunate that the news that went out through Asia affected tourism. We just have to keep saying to people: 'This is not tourism-related and it's certainly not a safety threat.'''
The lingering effects are already disappearing, to be replaced by high-season optimism.
''We are going to revise our forecast upwards for the last quarter of this year,'' she told Phuketwan.. ''Pickup has been quite good.''
However, in one sense, worse may be to come, in other ways.
''Perhaps at some three- and four-star hotels, forward bookings are ok but starting to slow down,'' Ms McDougall said.
''It's absolutely nothing to do with politics, it's credit-crunch stuff.
''The crunch is more significant for the tourism industry, I think, than the political situation.
''The financial situation is slowing down the mass market. Smaller resorts are not affected as much.
''People who are paying $500 a night or more are still travelling.''
The latest travel pattern, she says, seems to be towards late decision-making and late bookings.
''In the UK and Germany, people were holding off to see how their own personal lives are affected by the crunch, then they go at the last minute.
''That seems to be a trend. We picked up a booking on Wednesday for 21 days in November.
''So in four weeks' time, they have decided they are coming for three weeks.''
ANANTARA Phuket Resort and Spa makes a bold statement about Mai Khao and its reputation for fast becoming Phuket tourism's equivalent of ''Millionaire's Mile.''
No longer is the JW Marriott alone along the big northern beach. Anantara joins Sala Phuket, a new Marriott Vacation Club, and a Renaissance, still under construction.
A sizeable community shopping mall, Turtle Village, is going in just a short walk away.
On first encounter, Anantara presents itself as an escape through a gap in a tall signature wall that sets it apart from its neighbors.
Giant braziers will light the pathway to the inner sanctum at night, perhaps adding to the fairytale beginnings for many guests.
Inside, fire by night and water by day are likely to give the 83 private pool villas their essential moods.
Although Anantara already has a strong presence in Thailand, the Maldives, Bali and Abu Dhabi, the Phuket facility is likely to become the signature resort, heralding the brand's expansion in Asia and the Middle East.
The site certainly has the potential to set new standards, especially once the new Bill Bensley landscape undergrowth becomes lush and deep.
Already there are some impressive dining and drinking options, including the Tree House, which is wrapped around a banyan tree that is in turn wrapped around a coconut palm.
Sea.Fire.Salt. blends indoor and outdoor dining by the striking pool, which is set back from the beach the way environmentally-sensitive five-stars tend to be these days.
Guests will also be able to enjoy sumptuous private dining options in their own timber-enclosed sanctuaries, if they wish.
While honeymooners and couples are likely to be the main market, Anantara has opted not to discourage children.
''The idea is that a villa host will sit down and get to know you,'' Ms McDougall said.
From then on, the 'Wake Up To a Brand New Phuket' theme is likely to become reality.
From the heady and hectic perspective of Day Two, we expect Anantara Phuket will become popular quite quickly.
Anantara Phuket Resort and Spa Tel +66 (0) 7633 6100. E: phuket@anantara.com
Related Articles:
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Tune Set to Join Phuket Resorts Chorus?
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Hired and Wired: Jobs Vanish at Pace Setting Resort
Twinpalms Two May Find a Home at Cape Yamu
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''What problem?'' That was the general reaction experienced by Anantara's Director of Sales and Marketing, Narelle McDougall, in Europe over the past couple of weeks.
''In Germany and in the UK, there was virtually no reaction,'' she said. ''In Singapore and Korea and Japan, perhaps there was more awareness. It was those regional markets that suffered the most.
''It's very unfortunate that the news that went out through Asia affected tourism. We just have to keep saying to people: 'This is not tourism-related and it's certainly not a safety threat.'''
The lingering effects are already disappearing, to be replaced by high-season optimism.
''We are going to revise our forecast upwards for the last quarter of this year,'' she told Phuketwan.. ''Pickup has been quite good.''
However, in one sense, worse may be to come, in other ways.
''Perhaps at some three- and four-star hotels, forward bookings are ok but starting to slow down,'' Ms McDougall said.
''It's absolutely nothing to do with politics, it's credit-crunch stuff.
''The crunch is more significant for the tourism industry, I think, than the political situation.
''The financial situation is slowing down the mass market. Smaller resorts are not affected as much.
''People who are paying $500 a night or more are still travelling.''
The latest travel pattern, she says, seems to be towards late decision-making and late bookings.
''In the UK and Germany, people were holding off to see how their own personal lives are affected by the crunch, then they go at the last minute.
''That seems to be a trend. We picked up a booking on Wednesday for 21 days in November.
''So in four weeks' time, they have decided they are coming for three weeks.''
ANANTARA Phuket Resort and Spa makes a bold statement about Mai Khao and its reputation for fast becoming Phuket tourism's equivalent of ''Millionaire's Mile.''
No longer is the JW Marriott alone along the big northern beach. Anantara joins Sala Phuket, a new Marriott Vacation Club, and a Renaissance, still under construction.
A sizeable community shopping mall, Turtle Village, is going in just a short walk away.
On first encounter, Anantara presents itself as an escape through a gap in a tall signature wall that sets it apart from its neighbors.
Giant braziers will light the pathway to the inner sanctum at night, perhaps adding to the fairytale beginnings for many guests.
Inside, fire by night and water by day are likely to give the 83 private pool villas their essential moods.
Although Anantara already has a strong presence in Thailand, the Maldives, Bali and Abu Dhabi, the Phuket facility is likely to become the signature resort, heralding the brand's expansion in Asia and the Middle East.
The site certainly has the potential to set new standards, especially once the new Bill Bensley landscape undergrowth becomes lush and deep.
Already there are some impressive dining and drinking options, including the Tree House, which is wrapped around a banyan tree that is in turn wrapped around a coconut palm.
Sea.Fire.Salt. blends indoor and outdoor dining by the striking pool, which is set back from the beach the way environmentally-sensitive five-stars tend to be these days.
Guests will also be able to enjoy sumptuous private dining options in their own timber-enclosed sanctuaries, if they wish.
While honeymooners and couples are likely to be the main market, Anantara has opted not to discourage children.
''The idea is that a villa host will sit down and get to know you,'' Ms McDougall said.
From then on, the 'Wake Up To a Brand New Phuket' theme is likely to become reality.
From the heady and hectic perspective of Day Two, we expect Anantara Phuket will become popular quite quickly.
Anantara Phuket Resort and Spa Tel +66 (0) 7633 6100. E: phuket@anantara.com
Related Articles:
Anantara Aims At New Levels of Luxury
Tune Set to Join Phuket Resorts Chorus?
Courtyard Opening Brings Marriott Phuket Splurge
Hired and Wired: Jobs Vanish at Pace Setting Resort
Twinpalms Two May Find a Home at Cape Yamu
North and South Bloom as Outrigger Buys In
Sala Phuket Leads Resort Pack at Mai Khao
