wowpow
May 25th, 2006, 09:43
Bangkok Post 24th May 06
A foreign consortium is building what is to become more than a five-star resort in Rawai, Story by BOONSONG KOSITCHOTETHANA
Nestled within the tropical landscape of Rawai in Phuket, a unique resort is currently being developed that will surpass any existing five-star hotels in the area. Based on ancient Asian styles, with carved stone sculptures of mythical beasts and Lanna and Balinese roofing, this four-billion-baht development, led by a European group, promises to look like the set of a Hollywood blockbuster. Covering 150 rai of land, and located about one kilometre from Nai Harn beach on the island's southernmost point, The Puravarna is touted as the largest resort investment in Phuket currently, aimed to attract the world's rich and famous.
Puravarna Holdings, the development group jointly owned by Boscasolidos Plc of Spain and East India Plc of the UK, also wants to use the opulent resort to further enhance the global profile of Phuket as a desirable destination. The development reflects Puravarna Holdings' conviction of the potential of Phuket to become a holiday haven, as Spain is for Europe, said Steven Granville, the businessman driving the scheme. The 40-year-old chief executive backed the decision to invest in The Puravarna, which means temples by the water in Sanskrit, based on projections from the UN World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO).
The tourism industry in Asia Pacific countries is expected to grow by 6.5% annually over the next 15 years, 50% faster than the anticipated annual world average growth of 4.1%. In its Tourism 2020 Vision, the UNWTO said from 153 million in 2004, arrivals to the Asia Pacific would reach 195.2 million by 2010 and 397.2 million by 2020.
Southeast Asian countries are expected to see the fastest growth in international tourist arrivals.
Globally, the WTO forecast that international tourist arrivals would climb to 1.561 billion by 2020 from only 565 million in 1995. Europe is expected to remain the top destination for international travellers, but its share in total tourist arrivals would drop from almost 60% in 1995 to 46% by 2010, or a drop of 25%.
East Asia and the Pacific will replace the Americas as the second top destination for international tourists, with its market share predicted to grow from 14% in 1995 to 25% by 2010. ''The next decade will see more lifestyle changes generating more travel opportunities than in the entire past century. In new developing countries such as China, India, Russia and India, the number of emerging middle-class income earners is driving demand in the travel industry,'' he said.
Preliminary first-quarter figures showed that tourist arrivals in Thailand had increased 29%, he added.
With development starting a year ago, The Puravarna is one of the group's largest investments, and was not made public until recently.
Last week, the group announced the acquisition of Phuket's first five-star hotel, Le Royal Me{aac}ridien Phuket Yacht Club on Nai Harn Beach, from the US investment bank Lehman Brothers for around 1.3 billion baht.
The facilities at The Puravarna will include: a 10,000-sq-m spa complex; an 8,000-sq-m swimming pool; a beauty and wellness centre; a selection of gourmet restaurants; a helipad; a private yacht facility; and individual butler service. Given its size and complexity, The Puravarna, is being developed in three phases.
Phase I, currently under construction and scheduled to complete by december, will focus on the main banqueting halls, the Puravarna Spa, one all-day dining facility, the main pool complex and 29 pool villas.
Phase II, to commence next month, will include 250 hotel suites, a second pool facility, the main reception building and the wellness centre.
Phase III will incorporate additional villas with their own private pools.
The company has devised a scheme whereby individuals can purchase accommodation at Puravarna, with the possibility of rental income.
Targeting overseas buyers, a Pool Villa costs between 29 million and 69 million baht, while suites range from 13 million to 170 million baht. The purchases can be under leasehold or freehold.>
A foreign consortium is building what is to become more than a five-star resort in Rawai, Story by BOONSONG KOSITCHOTETHANA
Nestled within the tropical landscape of Rawai in Phuket, a unique resort is currently being developed that will surpass any existing five-star hotels in the area. Based on ancient Asian styles, with carved stone sculptures of mythical beasts and Lanna and Balinese roofing, this four-billion-baht development, led by a European group, promises to look like the set of a Hollywood blockbuster. Covering 150 rai of land, and located about one kilometre from Nai Harn beach on the island's southernmost point, The Puravarna is touted as the largest resort investment in Phuket currently, aimed to attract the world's rich and famous.
Puravarna Holdings, the development group jointly owned by Boscasolidos Plc of Spain and East India Plc of the UK, also wants to use the opulent resort to further enhance the global profile of Phuket as a desirable destination. The development reflects Puravarna Holdings' conviction of the potential of Phuket to become a holiday haven, as Spain is for Europe, said Steven Granville, the businessman driving the scheme. The 40-year-old chief executive backed the decision to invest in The Puravarna, which means temples by the water in Sanskrit, based on projections from the UN World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO).
The tourism industry in Asia Pacific countries is expected to grow by 6.5% annually over the next 15 years, 50% faster than the anticipated annual world average growth of 4.1%. In its Tourism 2020 Vision, the UNWTO said from 153 million in 2004, arrivals to the Asia Pacific would reach 195.2 million by 2010 and 397.2 million by 2020.
Southeast Asian countries are expected to see the fastest growth in international tourist arrivals.
Globally, the WTO forecast that international tourist arrivals would climb to 1.561 billion by 2020 from only 565 million in 1995. Europe is expected to remain the top destination for international travellers, but its share in total tourist arrivals would drop from almost 60% in 1995 to 46% by 2010, or a drop of 25%.
East Asia and the Pacific will replace the Americas as the second top destination for international tourists, with its market share predicted to grow from 14% in 1995 to 25% by 2010. ''The next decade will see more lifestyle changes generating more travel opportunities than in the entire past century. In new developing countries such as China, India, Russia and India, the number of emerging middle-class income earners is driving demand in the travel industry,'' he said.
Preliminary first-quarter figures showed that tourist arrivals in Thailand had increased 29%, he added.
With development starting a year ago, The Puravarna is one of the group's largest investments, and was not made public until recently.
Last week, the group announced the acquisition of Phuket's first five-star hotel, Le Royal Me{aac}ridien Phuket Yacht Club on Nai Harn Beach, from the US investment bank Lehman Brothers for around 1.3 billion baht.
The facilities at The Puravarna will include: a 10,000-sq-m spa complex; an 8,000-sq-m swimming pool; a beauty and wellness centre; a selection of gourmet restaurants; a helipad; a private yacht facility; and individual butler service. Given its size and complexity, The Puravarna, is being developed in three phases.
Phase I, currently under construction and scheduled to complete by december, will focus on the main banqueting halls, the Puravarna Spa, one all-day dining facility, the main pool complex and 29 pool villas.
Phase II, to commence next month, will include 250 hotel suites, a second pool facility, the main reception building and the wellness centre.
Phase III will incorporate additional villas with their own private pools.
The company has devised a scheme whereby individuals can purchase accommodation at Puravarna, with the possibility of rental income.
Targeting overseas buyers, a Pool Villa costs between 29 million and 69 million baht, while suites range from 13 million to 170 million baht. The purchases can be under leasehold or freehold.>