Phuket, Samui property show tops expectations

HONG KONG: Contracts worth a total of more than 180 million baht for the sale of homes in Phuket and Koh Samui were signed at the second annual Phuket & Samui Property Exhibition at Hong Kong’s Convention and Exhibition Center on September 12-14. At the show, organized by Graham Doven and Artasia Press, and co-sponsored by the Phuket Gazette, Laguna Property signed up buyers for two townhomes at 15 million baht apiece, three residences totaling 67 million and an Allamanda unit for 5.4 million; Layan Estate reported signing contracts for two houses, one at 26 million baht and the other at 30 million; and the Cabana Group of Koh Samui received contracts for a 14-million-baht villa and an 8-million-baht condominium. Bill Barnett, Deputy Managing Director of Laguna Resorts and Hotels, said, “Usually we view this [exhibition] as a marketing exercise, so we were very pleasantly surprised. It’s far exceeded our expectations.” Other exhibitors did not make sales, but most had not expected to, and all seemed happy with the number of contacts they made, and with the quality of the 400-plus potential buyers who came to the three-day show. In addition to well-established developments the show also saw the public launch of projects such as Sri Panwa, at Cape Panwa, and Nirvana Phutri in Chalong. The show drew 18 property developers and agents and representatives from organizations that provide services to go with the bricks and mortar, including education, health and legal services, and boat charter and management. Paul Friend, Head of Boarding at Dulwich International College, said, “We’ve generally been pleased with the number of people who have come to see us and the level of interest shown. Hong Kong is probably the largest market for us, outside Thailand.” In addition to Phuket and Samui companies, the show drew one developer, Domi Duca Asia, from Chiang Mai. The next Phuket & Samui property show will be staged in Bangkok on November 6-8. John Everingham of Artasia Press announced plans to stage a similar show in Moscow to tap rapidly growing interest from the Russian market. Another will be held in Singapore when a suitable venue can be found.