New Luxury Resort Planned For Phi Phi

[george]

Phuket Gazette:

New luxury resort planned for Phi Phi

PHI PHI: -- A new luxury resort, built by InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), is planned for Lanah Bay, Phi Phi Island, with another two resorts – one on Koh Samui and another in Pattaya – in the pipeline.

The properties, slated to open in 2007, will be IHG’s first resorts in Thailand, and will bring the total number of properties managed by IHG in the country to 10.

The Chief Executive of the Asia Pacific IHG area, A Patrick Imbardelli, said the resorts will be an exciting addition to Thailand’s luxury accommodation roster.

“I am delighted with the [plans for the] three new resorts, which continues our long-standing commitment to the Thai hotel and tourism industry,” Mr Imbardelli said.

The resorts will be developed by Jumreon Chittarasnee, owner of the Holiday Inn on Phi Phi, which is managed by IHG.

The current IHG portfolio in Thailand includes InterContinental Bangkok and the Crowne Plaza Karon Beach Phuket.

--Phuket Gazette 2005-09-26

[sriracha john]

...and don't think the luxury, 5-star hotel chain didn't appreciate all that well-intentioned but misplaced good work by all those backpackers and foreign tourists who voluntarily labored tirelessly for months ... cleaning up post-tsunami in order for the luxury, 5-star chain to open up their resort there.

I understand the luxury, 5-star is not totally heartless and has offered them a discount of 0.05% off their normal rack rate for anyone that donated more than 300 hours of clean up work.

[tjames]

That hotel will be good for the local economy. More tourists, more jobs and more small businesses

[sriracha john]

At a news conference yesterday, dispelling rumours that it had maliciously misused volunteer cleanup assistance, InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) Public Relations spokesperson T. James, is quoted as saying...

"That hotel will be good for the local economy. More tourists, more jobs and more small businesses.

And please don't forget our generous 0.05% discount we've offered them for their efforts."

Edited September 25, 2005 by sriracha john

[Butterfly]

At a news conference yesterday, dispelling rumours that it had maliciously misused volunteer cleanup assistance, InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) Public Relations spokesperson T. James, is quoted as saying...

"That hotel will be good for the local economy. More tourists, more jobs and more small businesses.

And please don't forget our generous 0.05% discount we've offered them for their efforts."

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Like they say: "OWNED"

[chownah]

At a news conference yesterday, dispelling rumours that it had maliciously misused volunteer cleanup assistance, InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) Public Relations spokesperson T. James, is quoted as saying...

"That hotel will be good for the local economy. More tourists, more jobs and more small businesses.

And please don't forget our generous 0.05% discount we've offered them for their efforts."

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Considering how much those places charge the 0.05% could be a considerable saving. and actually they probably mean 5% which means you save ONE HUNDRED TIMES AS MUCH!!!...what a deal!

[sriracha john]

At a news conference yesterday, dispelling rumours that it had maliciously misused volunteer cleanup assistance, InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) Public Relations spokesperson T. James, is quoted as saying...

"That hotel will be good for the local economy. More tourists, more jobs and more small businesses.

And please don't forget our generous 0.05% discount we've offered them for their efforts."

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Considering how much those places charge the 0.05% could be a considerable saving. and actually they probably mean 5% which means you save ONE HUNDRED TIMES AS MUCH!!!...what a deal!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

When contacted to clarify the exact amount of the discount, InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) Public Relations spokesperson T. James reiterated that it was indeed 0.05%.

He elaborated, however, that when one considers their normal single-bed rate of B7,200 per night, that the savings to the volunteers would equal well over B3 each and every night. He went on to point out that the deal also included a free ABF every morning as well as fresh towels.

[ozzydom]

...and don't think the luxury, 5-star hotel chain didn't appreciate all that well-intentioned but misplaced good work by all those backpackers and foreign tourists who voluntarily labored tirelessly for months ... cleaning up post-tsunami in order for the luxury, 5-star chain to open up their resort there.

I understand the luxury, 5-star is not totally heartless and has offered them a discount of 0.05% off their normal rack rate for anyone that donated more than 300 hours of clean up work.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Boy, they are all heart

[khall64au]

This kind of backs up rumours of post-tsunami plans for Phi phi: to re-develop the island into a luxury five star destination and rid the scene of the "scummy" backpapers...

[amarka]

That hotel will be good for the local economy. More tourists, more jobs and more small businesses

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

hi..

more importantly, they will build something safer. constructed properly. thats very important for this area and this will attract tourists in the long term. no one in their right mind wants to sleep in a bamboo hut on the beach any more ??

backpackers have their place and there will be others places to go, but it looks as if phi phi wil go up market and from my experience rightly so.. its a wondeful place.

i dont think the volunteers need a thank you from the big hotel chains....

they did it for the locals... and themsleves..... the job is almost done

amarka

[Khun Jean]

I hope they will take care that (on Phi Phi) there is enough water and garbage processing and not just dump it into the sea. If not it will change to a mudhole very quick. But if done right it sure will make a nice holiday destination.

Hoping that this time it will be done with respect to the environment.

[sriracha john]

Backpackers rebuild Thailand's "Beach"

government and big business are conspiring to annex the former tourist playground and turn it into a $1,000( 534 pounds)-a-night luxury resort.

The tales of crony capitalists ganging up on the 'little man' only fuel the outrage and fervour of the sandal-wearing volunteers, who swarm over the rubble like ants, tearing down buildings, carting rubble, painting walls and sweeping floors.

All this misguided effort on the part of volunteers.... it's amazingly naive and downright stupid. Rebuild a place and then not be able to even afford to return after the "5-stars" have taken it over. What a waste of time, energy, and money for them....

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

This kind of backs up rumours of post-tsunami plans for Phi phi: to re-develop the island into a luxury five star destination and rid the scene of the "scummy" backpapers...   

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Exactly as I was saying SIX months ago...