Monday, 17 March 2008: Koh Samui is expected to become the most expensive resort destination in Thailand soon, following extensive resort development by some of the world’s top luxury hotel chains.
The Mandarin Oriental, Banyan Tree, Intercontinental, Conrad, Sheraton and W Hotel of the Starwood Group are either considering the construction of luxury resorts in the area or are redeveloping existing ones.
“International arrivals have been increasing gradually since the December 2004 tsunami hit the Andaman Coast,” Seni Puwasetthawon, President of the Tourism Association of Koh Samui, said.
He said that more than 10,000 guestrooms would be added over the five years to the 14,000 rooms available today.
The association predicts average room rates will surpass those in Phuket, currently the most expensive resort destination.
The recent opening of a direct route from Bangkok to Koh Samui by Thai Airways International is another factor making the island boom by bringing in 300 tourists a day.
The island is welcoming a million tourists a year now and expects 1.5 million in a few years.
