Raffles to open a resort in Phuket

PHUKET TOWN: Singapore-based Raffles International Limited and its subsidiary Raffles International Hotels & Resorts (Thailand) Co, Ltd, have announced the signing of an agreement with Andaman Peninsula Company Ltd to develop a five-star luxury resort in Phuket. The Raffles Resort Phuket, to be built on the headland south of Kata Noi Beach, will include 79 luxury hotel rooms, 30 residential villas and a spa. It is scheduled to open for business at the end of 2006. The Raffles group cited double-digit growth in Phuket over the last five years and an average of 3.5 million visitors a year as signs that Phuket was a good location to strengthen its presence in Thailand. Anupharp Thirarath, Director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s Phuket office, responded favorably to the news, saying, “Phuket is still a very good place for investment, especially in the hotel business, because the number of visitors continues to increase annually.” Raffles now operates 37 hotels and resorts in 33 destinations worldwide. Apart from the new resort in Phuket, the group will also manage the former Hilton Hotel in Bangkok.