Luxury and wellness: laying of the foundation stone for the Tiva Ao Makham Resort in Phuket

Luxury and wellness: laying of the foundation stone for the Tiva Ao Makham Resort in Phuket

A significant step forward for the tourism sector in Phuket: On October 23, 2023, Kornsiri Hospitality Management Company Limited (KHM) laid the foundation stone for the new “Tiva Ao Makham Resort Phuket”. This proposed seafront resort will be located in the scenic Ao Makham region. In addition to KHM executives, Mr. Bernd Rudi, General Manager of Centara Grand Phuket, was present at the ceremony. The resort's location not only offers breathtaking sunrise views over the Andaman Sea, but also immediate access to a deep-sea port and major tourist attractions.

KHM aims to create high-quality properties that meet the needs of modern travelers - especially those who value privacy and natural surroundings. The resort will be designed as a wellness retreat that combines luxury with simplicity. With an official partnership with Centara Hotels & Resorts, KHM aims to take the quality of service and vacation experience for guests to a new level. In this regard, the company has demonstrated a strong commitment to sustainability and economic values ​​for the local community, making the groundbreaking an important step in expanding its portfolio in Phuket.

The focus on health and wellness

Tiva Ao Makham Resort will not be just another hotel in Phuket, but part of the Centara Boutique Collection with a clear focus on health and wellness. This motivation was reinforced by the signing of a Hotel Management Agreement (HMA) between Centara and KHM, which took place on the same day. Surprisingly, this is Centara's 11th hotel in Phuket, but the first HMA with Kornsiri.

The resort is scheduled to open its doors on September 1, 2025. High-ranking representatives from both companies, including Centara CEO Thirayuth Chirathivat and Kornsiri Managing Director Arthasin Kawinkij, were present at the signing. Tourists can look forward to modern facilities that are specifically designed for health-conscious guests. These include offerings such as yoga, cycling, a Pilates reformer studio, sauna, steam room and an onsen. The resort will also house 68 modern rooms and villas, and an outdoor pool and a restaurant with sky bar are also planned.

Phuket – A hotspot for wellness tourism

Phuket has long established itself as a leading wellness tourism destination. The sector is growing rapidly and is valued at around 219 trillion baht (US$6.3 trillion). Asia-Pacific is one of the main players, particularly in the area of ​​wellness tourism, accounting for 30% of the global market. C9 Hotelworks has presented current hotel, tourism and real estate trends in Phuket that show how the region is increasingly committed to the health and well-being of travelers.

Phuket has been known for traditional Thai massages and spa therapies since the 1990s and has continued to evolve since then. Medical tourism increased in the 2000s, followed by a booming interest in aesthetic treatments in the 2010s. Today the focus is on longevity tourism, which offers a holistic approach to well-being. New facilities such as the VitalLife Scientific Wellness Center, which opened in October 2023, are reinforcing the trend. The Clinique La Prairie Health Resort and Bumrungrad Hospital Phuket are also planned for 2026 and are intended to underline the growing need.

Wellness tourism is undoubtedly a driving force for economic growth in the region. Tiva Ao Makham Resort not only creates new jobs but also offers a high-quality health and wellness holiday experience. Phuket has big plans to further expand its position as a leading global wellness tourism destination and remains well on track to do so.

Further information can be found in the articles from mgronline, Centara Hotels & Resorts and The Thaiger.