Bill Barnett

Bill Barnett has over 30 years of experience in the Asian hospitality and property markets. He is considered to be a leading authority on real estate trends across Asia, and has sat at almost every seat around the hospitality and real estate table. Bill promotes industry insight through regular conference speaking engagements and is continually gathering market intelligence. Over the past few years he has released four books on Asian property topics.
  • Property NewsSome like it hot: Phuket property market in 2024

    Some like it hot: Phuket property market in 2024

    As we stepped into 2025, it’s the perfect time to take a closer look at the hottest property trends in Thailand’s largest leisure destination—Phuket. One of the most notable developments is the increasing presence of major Thai-listed property groups on the island, following an oversupply of properties in Bangkok. At the same time, banks are tightening credit to domestic real…

  • Property NewsThe Phuket southern shift: More than just real estate

    The Phuket southern shift: More than just real estate

    Over the past two years, Phuket’s real estate market has experienced a remarkable surge, with rising prices and growing demand. As tropical islands evolve over time, certain areas mature and develop, and much of the recent focus has been on the northwest, particularly the Bangtao area. For property buyers, location is often influenced by proximity to key amenities such as…

  • Phuket TravelPhuket evolves into a global wellness tourism leader

    Phuket evolves into a global wellness tourism leader

    Wellness tourism is in great shape. One of the fastest growing areas of the wellness tourism industry, the sector has grown from a niche market for committed health seekers to become a 219 trillion baht (US$6.3 trillion) global powerhouse. At the heart of this revolution is Asia Pacific, which accounts for 30% of the worldwide market and where pioneering destinations…

  • Phuket TravelPhuket transforms into a global luxury hub for the elite

    Phuket transforms into a global luxury hub for the elite

    Phuket has changed dramatically in recent years. Fringed by the Andaman Sea, the tropical oasis has evolved from a popular beach resort destination into one of the world’s most attractive luxury residential markets, with elite luxury consumer brands, Michelin dining and international quality education and medical care fuelling the interest. The Phuket Luxury Report, unveiled at a recent event and…

  • International EducationWhy Asia’s resort destinations are tapping into the growth of international schools

    Why Asia’s resort destinations are tapping into the growth of international schools

    A key indicator of Bangkok’s growing economic maturity is the rapid rise in international schools both in the city and across Thailand and the region. It’s no longer limited to wealthy local families and expatriates, these schools are now drawing in a diverse student body, fueled by the surge in global migration. Branded education is highly prioritised by Thais, contributing…

  • Thailand HotelsPHIST 2024 calls for sustainable development in Thailand

    PHIST 2024 calls for sustainable development in Thailand

    “They paved paradise and put up a parking lot,” Joni Mitchell once sang—a line that now eerily echoes the over-development plaguing Thailand’s top tourist hotspots. With the recent catastrophic floods in Phuket raising alarm bells, are these disasters a grim glimpse of the future? And is anyone paying attention to the growing environmental crisis? These questions took centre stage at…

  • EventsMind the Gap: Diversity leaders confirmed to speak at hospitality’s biggest gender equality event

    Mind the Gap: Diversity leaders confirmed to speak at hospitality’s biggest gender equality event

    Phuket Hotels Association, the non-profit organisation of hoteliers focused on creating a positive future for Phuket, and C9 Hotelworks, the award-winning hospitality consultancy, has confirmed the final line-up of speakers and moderators for this year’s edition of Mind the Gap: Women & Diversity in Hospitality, including some of the industry’s most inspiring female executives, entrepreneurs and diversity leaders. It can…

  • EventsLeading international and Thai green advocates headline Asia’s leading sustainability tourism event, PHIST 2024

    Leading international and Thai green advocates headline Asia’s leading sustainability tourism event, PHIST 2024

    One of the world’s most inspirational green advocates will headline PHIST this year as Asia’s pioneering sustainability event enters its 8th year. You can register to join the event that advocates for sustainability through the Eventbrite registration website. Unsung hero of sustainability Andrew Dixon, a former banker turned green activist, owner and operator of two private island resorts in Indonesian…

  • Property NewsMind the gap: Gender equality event returns to tackle key issues faced by women in the workplace

    Mind the gap: Gender equality event returns to tackle key issues faced by women in the workplace

    Phuket Hotels Association, the non-profit organisation of hoteliers focused on creating a positive future for Phuket, and C9 Hotelworks, the award-winning hospitality consultancy, will continue to drive the agenda for equality, diversity and inclusivity in the hospitality industry as it hosts the second annual edition of Mind the Gap: Women & Diversity in Hospitality, an important and empowering conference that…

  • Koh Samui TravelKoh Samui’s tourism renaissance: An island reawakens

    Koh Samui’s tourism renaissance: An island reawakens

    Koh Samui, Thailand’s renowned resort island, is experiencing a remarkable revival in tourism. The island has witnessed a 69% year-on-year increase in visitor numbers during the first four months of 2024, driven by an influx of domestic tourists, the opening of new international markets, and improved air connectivity. In 2023, Samui hosted 3,541,821 visitors, a balanced mix of domestic and…

  • Property NewsPhuket’s real estate world’s collide as off-plan sales flatten in wake of growing resales

    Phuket’s real estate world’s collide as off-plan sales flatten in wake of growing resales

    Phuket’s massive influx of new real estate development is witnessing rising competition from the secondary marketplace. The collision between off-plan property sales and resales is inevitable given the sheer number of units being completed and a growing critical mass of older properties. Comparing primary and re-sale transactions on the island from the first four months of the year compared to…

  • TravelPhuket Hotels Association goes live with ‘absolutely fabulous travel sale’ to raise funds for Thai hospltality students

    Phuket Hotels Association goes live with ‘absolutely fabulous travel sale’ to raise funds for Thai hospltality students

    Phuket Hotels Association, the non-profit organisation of hoteliers focused on creating a sustainable future for Phuket, has announced that its “Absolutely Fabulous Travel Sale” is back with an amazing array of prizes, including heavenly hotel stays and aspirational travel experiences all around the globe. The annual online auction is a charitable initiative, with all the proceeds being donated to the…

  • Property NewsUpdated trends in Phuket’s rental property market

    Updated trends in Phuket’s rental property market

    Given the backdrop of a booming Phuket real estate sector, one area that is often overlooked is the rental market. Despite a vibrant vacation short-stay segment, there remains a strong demand for extended and long-stay rentals across the island. Rental demand coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic experienced a sustained uplift and has continued to perform well. Despite a return…

  • Property NewsInside the numbers: the potential of a Phuket property bubble

    Inside the numbers: the potential of a Phuket property bubble

    One of the most common questions I am asked these days is about a potential Phuket real estate bubble. While it’s a popular buzz term, so many who ask the question don’t understand what a bubble is. The most notable real estate bubble in recent history was the subprime housing crisis in the United States in 2007. In other sectors,…

  • Property NewsPhuket’s branded residences supply tops USD2.3 Billion

    Phuket’s branded residences supply tops USD2.3 Billion

    Phuket has seen an unprecedented onslaught of overseas buyers transform the island into the largest leisure-branded residential real estate market in the world. The current supply of branded properties has now eclipsed a staggering USD2.3 billion and is expected to grow further according to new data from hospitality consulting group C9 Hotelworks. One of the most compelling storylines of Phuket’s…

  • Property NewsAccor partners with Tytans Properties Development to unveil world’s largest Pullman in Cebu

    Accor partners with Tytans Properties Development to unveil world’s largest Pullman in Cebu

    Accor, one of the world’s leading hospitality groups, continues its rapid expansion in the Philippines with the signing of Pullman Mactan Cebu Hotel & Residences, which is set to become the world’s largest Pullman property. The signing of the beachfront destination represents a milestone for mixed-use lifestyle real estate in the Philippines, as a new generation of integrated resorts emerges…

  • PropertyA record is set with a groundbreaking 11 billion baht investment for Gardens of Eden

    A record is set with a groundbreaking 11 billion baht investment for Gardens of Eden

    In a strategic move that underscores the burgeoning maturity of Phuket as a sought-after multicultural lifestyle destination, Amal Group of Companies has introduced Gardens of Eden on Bangtao Beach. This sprawling 73-rai luxury wellness residential and hospitality community is set to redefine large-scale developments on super prime locations on the island, with an investment capital of THB11 billion (US$315 million).…

  • EventsThailand tourism forum 2024: AI and lifestyle hotels spotlight

    Thailand tourism forum 2024: AI and lifestyle hotels spotlight

    Bangkok will once again play host to the upcoming Thailand Tourism Forum 2024. Topping the event whose theme is ‘Time for Growth’ will be Aditip Panupong from Google giving insight into how AI is changing the country’s tourism sector. Featuring the leading stakeholders and speakers from across the industry, including Patrick Both, Area General Manager, Luxury & Lifestyle Thailand, IHG…

  • SponsoredHow Phuket’s once tourism-reliant Greater Bangtao is tranforming into an international ‘Gold-Coast’ community

    How Phuket’s once tourism-reliant Greater Bangtao is tranforming into an international ‘Gold-Coast’ community

    Phuket’s once-quiet beachside west coast community of Bangtao is experiencing an unparalleled surge in real estate development. According to new research from C9 Hotelworks, there are currently 7,842 condominium units (click to see upcoming project map). Added to the supply influx are just over 2,400 upscale and luxury homes, which equate to a pipeline of more than 10,000 residential units…

  • Press RoomAs Phuket tourism market recovers, a potential “carmageddon” infrastructure crisis looms

    As Phuket tourism market recovers, a potential “carmageddon” infrastructure crisis looms

    Phuket hotels experienced promising momentum for the first half of 2023, which has set an optimistic path for the remainder of the year. At the mid-year juncture, international and domestic flight volume was already up 75% over total flights in 2022. Russia and China led the way as the two top tourism source markets in the first six months of…

  • EventsFarm-to-table movement takes centre stage at PHIST 2023

    Farm-to-table movement takes centre stage at PHIST 2023

    The flourishing farm-to-fork movement will take centre stage at PHIST 2023 (Phuket Hotels for Islands Sustaining Tourism), as a group of leading chefs demonstrate how Michelin ratings can raise the bar for sustainability and social responsibility in Thailand. PHIST 2023, Southeast Asia’s biggest sustainability event for the travel and hospitality sectors, returns to Phuket on 4th September with an energizing full-day…

  • TravelExploring Niseko’s outdoor adventures: A sizzling summer getaway for Thai travelers

    Exploring Niseko’s outdoor adventures: A sizzling summer getaway for Thai travelers

    Amidst the bustling expanse of Bangkok’s mega-malls, an ever-present trend captures the attention of passersby’s, Hokkaido culinary treats. Thais have long had an insatiable appetite for Japanese cuisine, but a closer look reveals a burgeoning fascination with Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost island. This growing attraction owes much to the favorable Thai baht to Japanese yen exchange rate and the increasing airlift…

  • Tourism NewsThriving start-up culture flourishes in Thailand’s surf capital: Khao Lak

    Thriving start-up culture flourishes in Thailand’s surf capital: Khao Lak

    As the rainy monsoon season blankets the Southern coast of Thailand’s Andaman Sea, the high-energy surf season springs to life in Khao Lak. At the heart of this burgeoning aqua sports scene is Memories Beach in Pakarang, a magnetic locale that captivates a diverse mix of enthusiastic Thai and foreign travelers. In recent years, Khao Lak’s surf scene has experienced…

  • Press RoomIndustry pioneers KP HO and Bill Bensley to headline PHIST 6, Southeast Asia’s largest sustainability event

    Industry pioneers KP HO and Bill Bensley to headline PHIST 6, Southeast Asia’s largest sustainability event

    Press Release PHIST (Phuket Hotels for Islands Sustaining Tourism), Southeast Asia’s biggest sustainability event for the travel and hospitality industries, is back with a bang this September with an energizing full-day forum headlined by one of the region’s most inspiring leaders: KP Ho, the founder of Banyan Tree Group and pioneer of Laguna Phuket. He will be joined in a…

  • Thailand TravelHow can Thailand’s super-aged solve the hotel staff crisis?

    How can Thailand’s super-aged solve the hotel staff crisis?

    While Thailand’s hotel and tourism recovery is moving forward at a faster-than-expected pace, the country’s acute hospitality staff shortage continues to worsen by the day. In what can best be termed a ‘people business’, hotel owners and operators and wondering where have all the people gone. It’s a worrisome trend and is only going to get worse as mass tourism…

  • Tourism NewsKoh Samui: The secret island gem of Southeast Asia’s hospitality scene

    Koh Samui: The secret island gem of Southeast Asia’s hospitality scene

    Over the past week, we have been compiling our latest hospitality, tourism, and hotel research on Thailand’s second-largest island, Koh Samui. The island remains a bit of a ‘little-big’ anomaly in Southeast Asia’s massive resort island arsenal. Despite hosting famed global hotel brands such as Four Seasons, Ritz-Carlton, W, InterContinental, and Banyan Tree, its smallish private airport capacity has somehow…

  • Thailand TravelRobust Phuket tourism numbers in Q4 last year and high winter season set the stage for recovery by year-end

    Robust Phuket tourism numbers in Q4 last year and high winter season set the stage for recovery by year-end

    Press Release PHUKET Thailand’s leading resort island of Phuket’s post-pandemic tourism recovery has been headlined by a surge in Russian travellers in the high season. But the backstory is how a spike in regional visitors from India, Malaysia, and Singapore set the stage in Q4 of last year that pushed hotels and the service sector back into action. Data on…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket hotels association reaffirms commitment to the island’s recovery with election of senior leadership team

    Phuket hotels association reaffirms commitment to the island’s recovery with election of senior leadership team

    Press Release The Phuket Hotels Association, a non-profit organisation representing 80 of the island’s top hotels and resorts, has reaffirmed its deep commitment to the future of Phuket’s hospitality sector by announcing the reappointment of its senior leadership team, including President Bjorn Courage who has been instrumental in the association’s success. Following a recent election, Mr. Courage, who also serves…

  • TravelCould Thailand’s Southeast Coastal Gem Khanom Be the Next Koh Samui?

    Could Thailand’s Southeast Coastal Gem Khanom Be the Next Koh Samui?

    The search for the next big resort destination in Thailand is an absolutely big ask. An expansive country with 77 provinces and an amazing array of diverse geographical locations, Instagram-worthy aspects, and distinctly different nuances. Out of this brazen travel chaos, the endearing term ‘same same, but different’ was born and remains highly relevant. Yet, one of the simple truths…

  • Home ServicesDigital Homecare Platform SAIJAI Unveils “Hospitality Staffing” Solution for Hotels as Industry Grapples with Severe Manpower Crisis

    Digital Homecare Platform SAIJAI Unveils “Hospitality Staffing” Solution for Hotels as Industry Grapples with Severe Manpower Crisis

    Thai hospitality industry struggles to find workers to fill 1.45 million jobs lost during the pandemic with many unwilling to return to the industry BANGKOK The pandemic changed everything. It has been an accelerator but also a major change-maker for Thai service workers retrenched or “paused” during the three-years Covid crippled Thailand’s hospitality industry. Many who left the sector are…