More arrivals welcome

Shannon Creado, Area Director—Sales & Marketing, Banyan Tree Phuket, believes that direct air connectivity between India and Phuket will bring in good business for the property.

Anupriya Bishnoi

Surrounded by a saltwater lagoon, Banyan Tree Phuket has been marketed as the beachfront resort in Thailand’s island province. With all-pool villas, the resort is just 20 kilometres from Phuket International Airport (HKT). Located just hours from India by air, Phuket is a popular choice among many of India’s holidaymakers. The recent move to begin direct air connectivity between India (from Delhi and Mumbai) and Phuket can only spell well for the two. Commenting on how this will bode well for the resort property, Shannon Creado, Area Director for Sales & Marketing, Banyan Tree Phuket, says, “India is a very important market for us. For Banyan Tree Phuket, there are going to be new avenues that will be opened with the direct connectivity. The new connectivity from Delhi and Mumbai to Phuket promises to get in more tourists, especially over the weekend.”

The resort offers villas for a luxurious stay, meeting facilities for the corporate traveller, and several F&B options to all its guests. With a bouquet of offerings, the leisure traveller is not all that the property is looking to charm. Creado adds, “We have a grand new ballroom that is going to be opened by April, and with that we hope to not just get business clients for meetings, but our target will also be the celebrations market that includes weddings, anniversary parties, birthday celebrations, etc.”

To accelerate arrivals from India, Creado says, “We are in the process of appointing our own representation in India. This will help us understand the Indian market better in terms of what they are looking for and the kind of customisation they need.”

Creado also adds that the year 2019 looks very promising already, as the brand has quite a few hotels in the pipeline.