Thailand – based Akaryn Hotel Group is expecting a good growth from India market. “India is very important to us, as it is one of the few markets that is currently developing and expanding with a growing middle class and more spending power. I see it as a possible replacement market for China, which is struggling due to its trade war with the US. Historically, Thailand has good ties with India – lots of our citizens have Indian heritage. It is a strong market for weddings, friends and family travel, and Bangkok is a favourite short shopping destination for many well-heeled Indians,” Anchalika Kijkanakorn, Managing Director, Akaryn Hotel Group said.
The group is also looking for small and mid-sized MICE events as well as weddings. “Our hotels and resorts are small and intimate. The largest has 148 rooms but with no conference facilities, so we focus on intimate executive meetings, top management get-togethers and brainstorming retreats. We do lots of weddings; three to four days with 100-plus guests. We can’t do 500-600 guests, but I think that Indian weddings are getting smaller and more intimate nowadays,” she informed.
The year 2019 has been slow for the Thai hospitality industry compared to previous years. Also, Vietnam is emerging as a competition for Thailand with new increased inventory. “The 2019 low season has not been good for arrivals, due to the warm summer in Europe, the strong Thai baht and the trade war between the US and China. Vietnam is also emerging as a strong competitor with lots of new room supply coming through. I think however, that Thailand will remain strong and will bounce back. We have excellent infrastructure and many great offers, and this is a good time to visit while hotel rates are low – and likely to remain low into high season,” Kijkanakorn added.
The Group is also set to open its first hotel outside Thailand in Vietnam and Indonesia. The group currently operates six hotels in Thailand namely; Aleenta Phuket-Phang Nga, Thailand, Aleenta Hua Hin-Pranburi, Thailand, akyra Manor Chiang Mai, Thailand, akyra Beach Club Phuket, Thailand, akyra Thonglor Bangkok, Thailand, akyra TAS Sukhumvit Bangkok, Thailand.
In the coming months, two of the group’s much loved hotel concepts will make their international debuts. Aleenta will be introduced to Bali, Indonesia’s “Island of the Gods”, and akyra, the trend-setting boutique brand, will arrive in Hoi An, the UNESCO World Heritage-listed port town in central Vietnam,” Anchalika Kijkanakorn, Managing Director, Akaryn Hotel Group said.
