One of Thailand’s top tourist islands is entering a new phase of economic development, with substantial international investment.
Phuket, a favourite holiday spot for many, will be getting numerous hospitality, retail and residential projects, according to new research from C9 Hotelworks, a hospitality, real estate and property consulting group based on the island.
In a press release, the company analyses data on Phuket’s latest tourism numbers. The island recorded 6.13 million passenger arrivals between January and September 2026, generating about THB400bil (RM48.52bil) in revenue.
International visitors accounted for 92% of the total tourism revenue, with Russia, China, India, Australia and Britain making up the top five biggest markets.
Beyond tourism, the scale and diversity of investment seems to be defining the next chapter for Phuket. Central Festival, a shopping mall in the Mueang Phuket district, for example, is undergoing a 40% expansion. This shows that the demand for retail shopping on the island is growing.
Meanwhile, Iconphuket, a THB10bil (RM1.21bil) shopping mall that’s still in its planning phase, will anchor another major project – the THB50bil (RM6.06bil) Synthesis Ark Phuket development.
This project is said to incorporate retail, entertainment, hotels, residences, offices, wellness and also education facilities.
In the luxury hospitality and residential sector, the collaboration between Minor International and Gardens of Eden will create a fully integrated community, with Asia’s first Minor Reserve Collection hotel as the anchor, and complemented by a 5,000sq m wellness centre.
Other than that, the data also highlight as many as 30 hotel properties (or 5,517 keys) are set to open from the end of this month, with 85% of them being international brands. A number of these properties will be located in the Bang Tao and Choeng Thale area.
This area is also the location of choice for developers when it comes to upscale residences, with 50% of branded luxury residences being developed there.
