Face-to-Face: Hansruedi Frutiger
This week, Travel Daily chats with Hansruedi Frutiger, General Manager, Mövenpick Resort & Spa Karon Beach Phuket…
1) How has the hotel industry in Phuket performed recently, and is the Movenpick Resort & Spa Karon following this trend?
Occupancy in Phuket and for our resort for the first quarter in 2013 has been very good. It is an indicator that business levels and growth are expected to rise further. Phuket retains a key advantage over Bali with relatively shorter direct flight time from major cities in Eastern Europe.
2) What are your main visitor source markets, and are you seeing any rise in demand from emerging markets such as China and Russia?
Our main markets during the first quarter were Russia, China and Australia. Forty percent of Eastern European travellers to Thailand visited Phuket, compared to 2008 when only 23% visited us. Between 2008 and today the number of airlines arrivals to Phuket grew tremendously. The airport will now undergo renovation and extension to accommodate more direct flights.
3) How important is the Thai market for your resort, and have you seen an increase in domestic guests recently?
The Thai market is only coming to Phuket when we celebrate long weekends and or to attend a seminar or conference. Otherwise Phuket is too far for guests from Bangkok; they rather go to Hua Hin or visit Pattaya.
4) Your resort has a significant amount of event space; how has the MICE market performed recently?
During the first quarter we were happy with the MICE market, coming from China, or even Australia. We had some large events with up to 250 guests during March and April.
5) What further developments can we expect from the Movenpick Resort & Spa Karon Beach Phuket for the remainder of the year?
Strong demand in the mass market of Chinese and Russian tourists will continue to grow, with a gradual shift to more FITs and a considerable decline of the traditional European market. Arrivals from key markets of Norway, Sweden and Finland, which was very good in previous years, has shifted to Kao Lak and other places. Presently in Phuket we have 45,000 registered accommodation units inclusive the upcoming 1,450 inventory expected to open this year. But in the coming four years we still have another 4,090 room coming up – a growth of 9%.
The Middle East and Indian markets are travelling from May to July and this market needs to be developed further. Phuket is blessed with many direct flights from the region and from overseas, and with the completion of the new airport and infrastructure across the island we shall continue to grow.