By Rama Gaind.
Looking for positives under the current pressure environment with the global Coronavirus crisis is not easy. In the blink of an eye the world’s jet-setting ways have changed, impacting the way we live our daily life.
The travel industry was dealt a particularly brutal blow by the pandemic and it could take some time for things to return to normal. While travellers are coming to terms nationally with the closure of state borders and international restrictions, hospitality management is making every effort to stay in business to ensure staff is employed.
With assiduity and endeavour, hotels in Australia and overseas will get opportunities to revitalise. Diligence will lead to success.
One such example is pioneering luxury Thai resort, Pimalai Resort & Spa. It is forging ahead with recovery plans despite the recent closure of Koh Lanta island in the southern Thailand province of Krabi until April 30.
According to the co-owner of Pimalai Resort & Spa, Charintip Tiyaphorn, the closure of the island, gives “us about a month to re-engineer the way we used to operate”.
Co-owner of the Pimalai Resort & Spa Charintip Tiyaphorn.
“We had to rethink everything again from the way we cleaned our guest rooms to how we can improve our services to our guests,” Ms Charintip said. “Before COVID-19, we planed to renovate only 10 villas this year. With COVID-19, we think we have enough time and resources to renovate all villas. When we reopen our hotel (hopefully in May 2020), we will be a better hotel than before the closure.”
“If we can bring some business back, we will be able to help local people too. We will buy fresh seafood from local fishermen, fruits and vegetables from local farmers and use tour guide services from local people.”
Future optimism
Ms Charintip is conscious of the fact that the Coronavirus has hit everyone and every level of the tourism and hotel business. Being optimistic about the future is paramount.
She points out there is always a demand for travel. “People will need to relax, to rest, to get away from cities, or to rejuvenate themselves. Our plan is to capture this demand. As long as there is a demand, we are ready to offer exclusive experiences to our guests.”
Are there any defensive plans should the current situation be extended?
As a second-generation owner, Ms Charintip focuses most of her time on sales and marketing activities – “trying to understand situations from each country and planning and executing our sales and marketing strategies at the right time”.
The Pimalai Resort & Spa overlooks the Andaman Sea.
Overlooking the Andaman Sea, this luxurious hillside resort is nestled in a lush tropical forest with direct access to 900 meters of pristine sandy beach. The beach resort combines all the right ingredients – subtle five-star comforts, natural beauty, far from the crowds, with no noise except the sound of the waves sliding in and out and slowly breaking onto the sand.
The general manager of the Pimalai Resort & Spa, Patrice Landrein, says “these are not easy times across the world and certainly for a hospitality industry in Thailand blessed with booming inbound arrivals from across the world for the past decade”. Concerted attempts are being made, “but for Pimalai, the key is to stay positive, take care of the team and use this time to create new horizons a property which opened almost 20 years ago,” Mr. Landrein said.
“It is something very much in Pimalai’s DNA. The vision of Pimalai has always been far sighted. It is for this reason we do not panic, but think carefully, take care of our people and consider the future.”
Moving forward
“When we first opened a lot of people thought we were a little mad to be honest given the former remoteness of the destination. But look how the world has changed. We came here to create a private, service-driven, nature-inspired experience. This is now more relevant than ever before – and we will continue to move forward with our philosophy and prepare for guests when they travel again.”
The luxurious hillside Pimalai Resort & Spa.
“The loyalty of our guests and the comments we have been receiving has been nothing but outstanding. It has been a true inspiration and encouraged us to make sure the resort is better than ever for when they return. Like all in the hospitality industry we are under pressure due to our temporary closure, but we are positive and we will come back strong. We are Pimalai,” Mr. Landrein said.
Pimalai has started full renovations of 20 of its hillside ocean-view villas with private pools that sit at the top of soaring indigenous Ton Yang trees that are as high as 80-metres tall from the ground up and over 100 years old. The design offers bright, modern interiors inspired by marine colours, contours and movement. The resort is also conceptualising the first wedding chapel on the island.
Staff training has increased in all departments and a full deep cleaning and maintenance program is in progress across all 48.5 hectares of the resort including accommodation, public areas, restaurants, spa and gardens. Alternative energy programs, composting and organic growing are all in full swing.
To continue to connect with customers and inspire future travel, Pimalai has launched online yoga classes for guests at home to stay in touch and keep in shape.
As the Pimalai resort prepares for the new travel season, this is the Andaman destination you should be setting your sights on for that long-awaited trip!
DETAILS BOX
Pimalai Resort and Spa
99 Moo 5, Ba Kan Tiang Beach Koh Lanta, Krabi 81150, Thailand.
T: +66 2 320 5500
W: www.pimalai.com
