TravTalk India Online Magazine
After months of lockdown and travel bans, the world is gradually opening up. Keeping with the times, Thailand-based hospitality group Cross Hotels & Resorts has also re-opened some of its hotels across Thailand. The group also has properties in Indonesia and Vietnam.
Thailand-based hotel group, Cross Hotels & Resorts has opened a number of its properties with strict health and safety protocols in place. From the time of arrival of the guest at the airport to the time of departure, staff at Cross properties follows the guidelines religiously. The group is also offering flexible incentives to Indian travel agents. It has an extensive portfolio of properties in Thailand that include X2 Vibe Buriram Hotel, X2 Koh Samui – A Spa Retreat, X2 Kui Buri Resort, Away Chiang Mai Thapae Resort – A Vegan Retreat, Away Koh Kood Resort, X2 Vibe Chiang Mai Decem Hotel, X2 Vibe Pattaya Seaphere and Oceanphere, and X2 Vibe Phuket Patong among others. Each hotel has something unique to offer to guests, and lays focus on safety and hygiene standards and measures received from Amazing Thailand Safety and Health Administration (SHA) – a cooperation between the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), the Ministry of Public Health, the Department of Disease Control, the Department of Health and the Department of Health Service Support.
Katerawee Thepprachum, Director of Sales at Away Chiang Mai Thapae Resort – A Vegan Retreat, says that they have visible signage throughout the hotel, reminding guests of social distancing guidelines, personal hygiene and the importance of personal protection equipment. “We also carry out temperature checks on all arriving into the hotel. The cleaning and spraying is always in place after using of vehicles and transfers,” he says. The hotel is suitable for leisure FIT, family leisure groups as well as business travellers, even buy-out groups looking for a private arrangement.
Based on static rate offers, most Cross hotels could consider providing incentives to travel agents based on the number of room nights. For instance, 0-500 room nights get two per cent incentive and 501-1000 room nights get three per cent.
Away Koh Kood Resort – a hotel suitable for company staff outings, weddings and leisure – offers a lively activity centre and plenty of outdoor fun, informs Boonyok Kannika, the General Manager of the hotel.
Keen on leisure and small M!CE groups, X2 Vibe Chiang Mai Decem Hotel has meeting rooms that can accommodate a maximum of 40 people (under normal circumstances). On working with Indian travel agents, Chayanisa Ruankew, General Manager, X2 Vibe Chiang Mai Decem Hotel, says, “If the agents book 15+1 rooms, they will need to pay only for 15 and the remaining room will be complimentary.”
At the X2 Pattaya Oceanphere and X2 Vibe Pattaya Seaphere properties as well, temperature checks are taken before entering and also in the F&B outlets. Hand sanitisers are freely available all over the properties. Social distancing is in place and housekeeping duties have been increased. Vehicles are also sanitised after each trip. Steve Lockhart, Cluster General Manager, X2 Pattaya Oceanphere and X2 Vibe Pattaya Seaphere, adds, “X2 Vibe Pattaya Seaphere is fit for small M!CE and leisure groups. We can arrange a stunning private dinner party upto 80 Pax at our ‘Sky white rooftop bar’ with a panoramic view. Our hotels are located nearby the most famous attractions, such as Suan Nong Nuch Botanical Gardens, The Legend Siam and Cartoon Network waterpark. X2 Pattaya Oceanphere, on the other hand, is suitable for couples, a leisure group of friends, and families. We can arrange a floating breakfast and barbeque dinner at our private pool villas. X2 Pattaya Oceanphere is perfect for getting away with the new norm of social distancing, but you can still enjoy a private party with your loved ones.”
X2 Vibe Phuket Patong is suitable for leisure, FIT and small M!CE groups with 60-80 Pax. “It is perfectly located close to key tourist attractions, a large shopping mall, and the beach is only a two-minute walk away. It offers 136 delightfully furnished and modern design rooms and villas starting from 45 sqm. All facilities are presented in a smooth, minimalistic and comfortable design style,” shares Ismet Isakovski, General Manager, X2 Vibe Patong.
The Indonesian property of Cross Hotels & Resorts – X2 Bali Breakers Resort – has also implemented strict protocols. Artana Komang, General Manager, X2 Bali Breakers Resort, adds, “We love to have all market segments from India. We have rooms and villas for the leisure guest, meeting rooms that can fit up to 100 persons, and also varied wedding venues such as a wedding chapel, grass lawn, and poolside.”
