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Laguna Phuket, the paradise Thai island’s largest destination resort, has welcomed new Qatar Airways’ flights to Phuket from Doha as a boost to its growing Middle East and international tourist appeal.
Qatar Airways launched the new flights, via the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur, on 12 October as part of an expansion of services in Asia. The flights are offered six-times per week and Phuket is the airline’s second Thailand destination after Bangkok.
Middle East guest numbers at Laguna Phuket, a resort of seven deluxe hotel and villa properties on the northwest coast of the island, were just over 8,000 annually from 2007-2009. These numbers, together with other international guest numbers, are continuing on an upward trend.
Award-winning Laguna Phuket offers a variety of luxurious facilities that includes pristine beaches, fine dining in a choice of 30 restaurants and bars, five world class spas, an 18-hole golf course and tours to exotic offshore islands.
Michael Ayling, managing director of Laguna Resorts & Hotels, said: “We very much welcome this type of new service as Phuket continues to grow its market share in the increasingly competitive South East Asian tourist market.”
“Qatar Airways will bring a new Middle East and international dimension to our visitor appeal and we look forward to receiving tourists on its flights not only from the Middle East, but also Europe, and North and South America.
He said Phuket had experienced an increase in airline passenger traffic earlier in 2010 compared to the same period last year.
“However, we can’t afford to be complacent, so any new airline coming to Phuket, and especially an internally renowned one as Qatar Airways, is important to the on-going benefit of the island’s tourism industry,” he said.
Qatar Airways, which brands itself: “World’s Five Star Airline,” was launched in 1993 and currently operates a modern fleet of 87 aircraft from its Doha hub to 92 diverse business and leisure destinations across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific, South Asia, and North and South America. By 2013 it plans to serve 120 destinations worldwide with a fleet of 120 aircraft.
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