Kata Group prepares SET listing to fuel major expansion plans

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Leading Thailand hospitality company Kata Group Resorts is readying to embark on a major new phase of expansion following the appointment of financial consultants Asset Pro Management (APM) Co., Ltd. 

APM will prepare Kata Group Resorts, owner and operator of six resorts in Southern Thailand, for a listing on the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) following a restructuring of the hospitality company’s business plan and finances in accordance with SET requirements.

Pramookpisitt Achariyachai, Kata Group Resorts President and Owner.Pramookpisitt Achariyachai, Kata Group Resorts President and Owner.

With a listing expected in 2017, Kata Group will embark on a period of significant growth fuelled by extra capital, including developing a hotel and community mall in Phuket called The Landmark Patong, as well as projects in established tourism areas in Pattaya and Hua Hin.

The move is seen as a sign of intent from Kata Group, who have built a strong reputation in the four- and five-star markets in Phuket, Koh Samui, Krabi and Khao Lak over 35 years as they aim to leverage Thailand’s continuing high growth trajectory as Asia’s leading tourism destination.

Kata Group Resorts President and Owner, Pramookpisitt Achariyachai, said he was encouraged by the growth of the Thailand’s tourism sector and the increasing number of attractions, which was driving the growth of the hospitality industry.

“We feel we still have a lot of room to grow,” he said.  “We currently own and operate six hotels in absolute beachfront locations – with one a two-minute walk from the beach – featuring concepts in the four- and five-star categories, appealing to a wide range of target groups and markets from around the world.

“Our strategy has always been to grow steadily and sustainably.  This will not change.  We have a strong project in The Landmark Patong and are seeking opportunities in Pattaya and Hua Hin, for which we need capital to fund the growth.  This is why we have appointed financial experts in Asset Pro Management to achieve this goal.”

Investment in the hotel business in Phuket continues to increase.  As of December 2014 there were a total of 46,803 rooms in registered tourism establishments for 750 hotels, according to C9 Hotelworks and the Tourism Authority of Thailand.

With the development of infrastructure and services, such as the expansion of the new airport, the ASEAN Economic Community and Thailand’s convenient geographical position between the three mega markets of India, China and Indonesia, growth is expected to continue.

Kata Group Resorts is an established big player in the affordable luxury hospitality market in Southern Thailand.  The Group specialises in family and couples travel experiences, while offering beachfront weddings and corporate meetings and incentives.

In 2012, Kata Group launched the Beyond Resorts brand, with luxury adults-only concepts at Beyond Resort Khaolak, Beyond Resort Karon and Beyond Resort Krabi, featuring pool villas and other experiences curated for couples, led by private dining, couples treatments at Kanda Spa and destination excursions.

Beyond Resort Krabi also caters to families, building further on the family heritage of the resort group with star performers Phuket Orchid Resort and Kata Beach Resort and Spa in Phuket and Kandaburi Resort & Spa in Koh Samui.