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Open the 22-year timeline of Phuket Fantasea
with the changing challenges of tourism
Thairath Online
lifestyle
travel
11 Sep. 2022 11:48 p.m.
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Back 22 years ago, the name "Phuket Fantasea" was one of the top tourist destinations.
of Phuket that attracts tourists from all over the world uninterruptedly frequented
but with the passing of time
There are many things that are not the same.
What has changed in Phuket Fantasea today?
The beginning of Phuket Fantasea
The beginning of Phuket Fantasea
Established since 1995, where "Dr. Pin Khewkacha", the owner of the Safari World business.
Want to expand the tourism business in Phuket
Therefore assigned to Kittikorn Khewkacha, who is the eldest son.
who recently graduated from England
to come back to take care of this business
Kittikorn Kewkacha, President of Phuket Fantasea Public Company Limited, owner of the Phuket Fantasea and Carnival Magic projects.
“We had the idea and idea of making Phuket Fantasea since 1995 when I was 24 years old and just graduated from England.
My father called me to help him think about what to do in Phuket tourism business.
At first, I had an idea to make an elephant garden.
But with my experience living in Europe for many years
It makes me know that foreign tourists are interested in Thai culture.
And elephants are part of our culture.
Therefore, I think that it should be a tourist attraction in the form of a cultural show better.
It was inspired by the Las Vegas show as a model.
Then come to continue with Thai performance culture.
It is the origin of Phuket FantaSea, the world's first cultural theme park today,” said Kittikorn Kewkacha, President of Phuket Fantasea Public Company Limited.
Elephants are part of Thai culture that foreigners think of.
Phuket Fantasea's shows are inspired by Las Vegas shows that blend with Thai culture.
Phuket Fantasea
It took 3 years to build, with an investment budget of 3,500 million baht, on an area of 70 rai at Kamala Subdistrict, Kathu District, Phuket Province.
Officially launched in early 1999, the highlight is the “Miracle Kamala” show, which is a blend of Thai arts and culture.
and modern sound and light special effects
including the performance of dozens of Thai elephants
and other animals
on stage in a large theater
An international buffet dinner is also served.
and a shop selling quality souvenirs from all regions of Thailand
At first, 80% of the main customers were European tourists, followed by Taiwanese.
various merchandise stores
Inside Phuket Fantasea
Turning points and obstacles
Kittikorn told the Thairath online lifestyle team that
Since the official launch of Phuket Fantasea, the number of customers has continued to increase, especially in 2003 when an exceptionally high number of tourists continued to arrive.
It can be said that it is so popular that it has to increase the show to 2 rounds every day, but when on December 26, 2004, Phuket hit a tsunami.
It made the tourism of Phuket stagnate for a long time.
It took him 3-5 years to gradually make Phuket Fantasea's business.
recoverable
“The impact of a tsunami is different from COVID in that we only affected one place.
There are still many people who help us greatly.
But COVID is affecting the whole world and every business.
It can be said that it is a serious problem in different ways.
Since making Phuket Fantasea for 22 years, the market has never been stagnant.
It's always changing. I've been through 5-6 markets since Europe, Taiwan, Russia, China, but changing doesn't mean the same market is gone.
but back with more
Originally there were 2 million tourists, now it has increased to 15 million. Now there are many Indian tourists.
If China comes back, it will make more and more.”
Although it will take some time for Phuket tourism to come back from the effects of the tsunami.
But Phuket Fantasea always has a back-up plan to cope with market changes.
That is the launch of a new project "Carnival Magic" (Carnival Magic), which has a different style from Phuket Fantasea.
To create more tourist attraction than ever
As a result, the advertising and public relations of Phuket Fantasea have decreased so much that many new generations are hardly known.
or never been to Phuket Fantasea
Carnival Magic is a Thai cultural theme park developed under the same global standards as Disneyland.
“Before the covids, we intend to make Phuket FantaSea to market quietly in order to replace Carnival Magic as Phuket FantaSea is an old product that has been in the market for over 20 years. New ones are easier to make.
Therefore, we do less Phuket Fantasea Market.
Then bring it down to Carnival Magic instead with a strong advertising and publicity mode.
to stand out more
and attracting more tourists than before.”
Carnival Magic, a new project after the crisis
After working in the Phuket Fantasea market for more than 20 years, it has encountered many obstacles and changes that affect the tourism business.
Thus, Kittikorn has an idea to expand the Thai cultural theme park business under the name "Carnival Magic" since 2002 by using the same area as Phuket Fantasea.
But when faced with the effects of a tsunami
Therefore, this project must be folded first.
for the difference between
Phuket Fantasea with Carnival Magic is in Phuket FantaSea to bring Thai cultural performances.
Including the elephant, which is the symbol of Thailand, mixed with magic illumination and technology to make the show more beautiful and magnificent, while the Carnival Magic is the use of technology to decorate the lights to be beautiful.
and lead the Thai parade
Bringing Thai festivals as a concept
It took 6 years to build together.
Carnival processions and beautifully decorated venues
It is designed to meet the needs of tourists of all ages.
“We had the idea to build Carnival Magic since 2002 and start designing in 2003, but it had to stop because of the tsunami in 2004 and then faced with the world economy again, it stopped until we had plans to launch it in Year 2020, we will meet again with covid.
causing us to encounter a crisis 3 times before we can open
But it gives us time to think, improve and crystallize to adjust.
and giving more opportunities to revise new ideas until it is ready to open at the end of 2022.”
Even though Carnival Magic faces three crises, each one offers a lesson and makes a difference by accumulating readiness to deal with any problems that may arise at any time.
with a greater budget than before
From the set of 1,500 million baht in 2002 on the same area as Phuket Fantasea.
was increased to 6,600 million baht on an area of 100 rai, which was increased by being located in the vicinity of Phuket Fantasea
to support the parade
Big theaters, restaurants, the city of lights and many more expanded and improved.
There is also a survey of tourists behavior of all ages.
which has different needs and develop Carnival Magic to meet the needs such as designing a beautiful place
There are many photo angles.
Which is liked by teenagers There is a toy zone and a cute animal show zone.
Appeal to small children
There are shops selling a variety of products.
including jewelry to reach a group of adults
There is also a golf cart for the elderly to sit and enjoy the view.
Watch the lights within the project comfortably.
and has various facilities
Support tourists with disabilities as well
Carnival Magic's target audience is High Spending tourists, with tickets that include theater performances and meals at 3,000 baht, while Phuket Fantasea has a broader audience.
because the price is more tangible
The price is 2,200 baht, which includes the show fee and food as well.
Photo credit: Phuket Fantasea
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