THAILAND TRAVEL NEWS: Already billed as one of Asia’s finest luxury destination resorts, Laguna Phuket plans to increase its attractiveness to the meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions (Mice) market with a 1,000sq.m (about 10,700sq.ft) marquee-style convention centre to be named Latitude.

The new venue will be constructed on a 1,500sq.m (16,000sq.ft) concrete base and comprise an all-weather, fully air-conditioned, stand-alone facility capable of accommodating up to 1,000 guests theatre style, 800 for cocktails, and 600 for a banquet. In addition, it’s modular design means the option exists for multiple smaller events to be staged at the one venue.

Michael Ayling, managing director of Laguna Resorts & Hotels, said Latitude will be situated amid lush vegetation overlooking a west-facing lagoon adjacent to Bang Tao beach at the heart of Laguna Phuket, opposite Canal Shopping Village and within minutes of all the Laguna Phuket hotels and villas,

He said the venue, scheduled for completion mid this year, will have a centre height of 7.5m (24ft), a side height of 4m (13ft) and 10 bays, each measuring 20m-wide x 5m (65ft x 16ft)-long, enabling the side length of the marquee to be adjustable in 5m (16ft) increments up to 50m (164ft). In addition, the venue will feature permanent toilet facilities, wireless internet, removable carpeted flooring, undercover exterior walkways, and permanently wired built-in electricity supply.

Mr Ayling said, “Latitude will provide a significant enhancement to Laguna Phuket’s established Mice capabilities, as well as providing a high-quality facility for hosting events such as exhibitions and concerts”.

Organizers will be able to incorporate memorable events for delegates, including arrivals using the network of waterways from our hotels, to incorporating spectacular Phuket sunsets as backdrops to presentations, he said.

By John Le Fevre

Thailand Travel News for March 11, 2010