Phulay Bay – a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, Krabi ranks India in its top 5 markets
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“Around 5% of guests are Indians traveling with Indian passports, and around 3 to 4% are Indians traveling in Indian ethnicity” - Vidya Sagar, GM, Phulay Bay, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, Krabi, Thailand
With the significant tourism footfalls from India market to Thailand, the offbeat destinations in Thailand and exclusive stay options are also gaining traction. Vidya Sagar, GM, Phulay Bay, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, Krabi, Thailand, shares on how this exclusive resort is looking at 2025.
Market response & brand positioning
Mentioning about the overall response, Sagar shared that India is one of the top 5 markets, amongst other markets like US, China, European countries like UK, Germany and then India. “We see year-on-year a big substantial growth in Indians coming to Thailand as well as Krabi. The strength of India market lies in connectivity and Thailand's no visa policy.”
He also shared that there has been increase of occupancy, with around 5% of guests are Indians traveling with Indian passports, and around 3 to 4% are Indians traveling in Indian ethnicity. Potentially Indian or Indian ethnic group of guests who are traveling is around 8 to 9% from overall guests. Sagar expressed that Phulay Bay takes care of the dietary needs of Indian travellers, understanding the specifics Indians desire when they travel.
Talking about priority markets in India, Sagar said that Mumbai is at the top, followed by Delhi, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai, Ahmedabad, and Jaipur. Sagar’s visit to India is a strategic approach to strengthening ties with the travel trade in Mumbai, Ahmedabad, and Jaipur. “Ahmedabad is one of our biggest markets, and we see a lot more potential. That’s why we also want to visit our market leaders in Ahmedabad and Jaipur to explore how they can engage with us more,” added Sagar.
When asked about weddings, Sagar expressed that Phulay Bay had four Indian buyouts for weddings, with one more coming up in November. He noted, “Indians are looking at intimate celebrations and intimate weddings, and that is where we come. We have 54 villas; we can do a maximum of around 140 guests. A few of the guests might stay with us, and a few of them might stay in other hotels, and they can still use the facilities. We are also able to cater Jain weddings.”
Speaking about positioning the property in a competitive landscape, Sagar highlighted that Phulay Bay, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, is the first Reserve in the world. “We are in the ultra-luxury space, and we set the standards exceptionally high.” According to him, it is an experiential resort where guests undergo a transformative journey during their stay. From arrival to departure, there is no traditional check-in or check-out, no concierges, and no front desk. The goal is to ensure that every need is seamlessly taken care of through genuine human connections. It's an experience where you're taken care in totality by your butler or the Ton Hongs, who is going to ensure that from the time you come to the resort to the time you leave, he's around with you taking care of your experiences and your requests.
Sustainability roadmap
Sagar mentioned that every month, they carry out at least one activity that gives back to the local community, whether it’s visiting a women's prison to provide soaps, shampoos, and sanitary napkins or supporting a fishermen's village by offering food. “We are also introducing a new Butler Academy program to help kids who are coming out of school, to teach them a new skill of being a butler, as butler service is something that needs, that has so much of potential and opportunities for the kids.”
Strategy going forward
“We are already laying out plans for 2026,” said Sagar. “Our focus will be on sustainability, new dining outlets, and an enhanced wellness program. We recently welcomed a new yogi from India who will not only introduce yoga but also offer guests transformative experiences such as sound therapy and healing programs.”
He further added, “We also have visiting practitioners coming in, with a target of hosting four to six experts each year who can spend time at the resort. This allows our guests to explore new wellness concepts they may not have encountered before.”