Open for service in time to celebrate the end of the old year and welcome the new, “Porto de Phuket” is pioneering lifestyle shopping mall as the only mall of its kind in Thailand. This new landmark of the South, located just 30 minutes from Phuket Airport, is operated by Central Group. It brings together a range of famous outlets in new formats and Michelin-starred restaurants in 7 highlighted zones, catering to a lifestyle of “eat, drink, shop and relax” with special services to provide “The Finest Living Experience”. Among many launch promotions, the first 100 customers spending more than 1,000 baht will receive a gift voucher valued at 300 baht. The project will drive the promotion of Phuket tourism in the high season, with 10,000-13,000 shoppers per day expected at a ratio of 65% local residents and expats to 35% from overseas.
Central Group Head of Business Development, Pong Skuntanaga noted that Phuket was a top global tourist destination, ranking 14th out of 200 popular resorts worldwide according to the Mastercard Global Destination Cities Index 2019. Phuket is also Thailand’s number one province for tourism revenue earnings, bringing in 37 billion baht from January to October 2019, according to the Economic Tourism and Sports Division, not including Bangkok. Visitors’ top three nationalities are Chinese, Russian and German respectively.
Central Group has thus taken an opportunity to expand its business to create another alternative for the new generation of tourists whose lifestyle is more natural. Central has invested 1.5 billion baht to create Porto de Phuket as a mall in a new format of lifestyle shopping mall, which is the first and only such development in Thailand. It harmoniously combines design, lifestyle and natural spaces on a site of over 40,000 square meters, with green space making up two thirds of the project. The décor is in Contemporary Warehouse style with the purpose of bringing visitors as close to nature as possible, by preserving as many trees on the original site as possible. The mall caters to all lifestyles, genders and age groups under the concept of “The Finest Living Experience”. Target groups are locals with significant spending power and locally-based Expats making 65%, with tourists the other 35%. Tourists divide into 2 further segments, 1) Free and Independent Traveler, such as from China, Korea, Japan and Singapore, and 2) Western High Spenders, such as Russians, Germans, British and Americans, who emphasize long vacations. Total visitors to the mall are projected to be 10,000-13,000 per day during the high season, translating to 3 million per year.
Porto de Phuket is divided into 7 zones, which comprise:
- Central Food Hall
The best food store in Asia, with a variety of zones to provide service in Stand Alone formats outside the main Central Food Hall for the first time. Encounter a diversity of products in 8 categories. There is fresh meat and seafood to high standards, a bakery which bakes fresh every day to special recipes, high-quality wines aged to perfection and the first Cheese Room in Phuket. - The Fame – Restaurant and Café Zone:
This brings together famous restaurants and cafes for hipsters and the chilled, including SUAY, serving a fusion of Thai and western food by the iron chef himself, with quality guaranteed by the Michelin guide, Tu Kab Khao is famous Southern food from Phuket. Spice House serves Russian food from a Russian chef with over 10 years of experience, while Jampa, offers an organic menu selected by Chefs part of PRU, the only restaurant in Phuket with 1-Michelin star. Wine Connection is opening as a modern and attractive flagship outlet, and finally there is Lady Coco, a French style café for chocolate lovers. Diners must not miss Intense Deep Black, cold chocolate made from 72% cocoa powder from Belgium. - Multi Design House
A place bringing together products catering to every lifestyle of home decoration from indoor to outdoor, from minimal to maximal. Individual style can be found here. Discover vintage furniture and furnishings from Soul of Asia, and distinctive and unique art from local art celebrity Sunthorn Papan at Napas Art Gallery. Don’t miss the Jim Thompson pop-up store of ready-to-wear silk men’s and womenswear, bags and wraps which can be used as skirts on the beach, with each piece distinctive. There are also B2S under the Thinkspace concept and Travelers Top Picks of products recommended for tourists. Supersports is in a special format emphasizing Sport Fashion, with a Run Lab to instantly find out which are the best running shoes for you. - Healthy Heaven
This is a zone of relaxation and health, to unwind with massages, spas and natural therapies to beat fatigue and stress. There are leading spas to choose from such as Let’s Relax, with the first Spa Gallery in the world and wax salon The Strip, which has 10 branches worldwide including New York, London and Singapore. The project also has a beauty zone of famous outlets from Phuket such as Devadiva and Villa Aura. - Kid Learning Space
This is a spot to develop learning for kids of all ages, who can make new friends by sharing fun with toys designed to enhance various skills. There is also a cycle track, a giant sand-pit, trampoline and swings. - Pet Friendly Zone
Here is a zone for pets to frolic and make new friends on a small, shady lawn, with every facility provided by Phuket International Petcare (PIPC). There is a veterinary clinic, pet shop, grooming and drop-off for both cats and dogs at a large animal hotel, providing them health and happiness. - The Mercado – opening in 2020
This food station located under a single large roof is decorated under the concept of a Tin Mining Factory which recreates the atmosphere of an old tin mine with Sino-Portuguese architecture. Taste world-class food from many international cuisines in a single place, including an oyster bar, fine steaks, or try many desserts from around the world.
Next step, there are plans to add a movie theater, fitness gym, Indoor Playground, Edutainment and an Art Home and Decorative zone, expected to be complete by the end of 2020.
Special promotions only for the Grand Opening include the following:
- 12 Dec 2019
- The first 100 customers spending over 1,000 baht in the shopping center receive a Gift Voucher worth 300 baht to exchange for discounts on participating products and services worth 1,000 baht and above.
- Customers of Central The 1 Credit Card will additionally receive a Porto de Phuket Limited Edition glass worth 500 baht.
- 12 – 26 Dec 2019
- Purchase products in the shopping center worth over 3,000 baht and show the receipt at the registration counter to exchange for a Porto de Phuket Limited Edition Basket Bag Size M worth 800 baht.
- Purchase products in the shopping center worth over 6,000 baht and show the receipt at the registration counter to exchange for a Porto de Phuket Limited Edition Basket Bag Size L worth 1,000 baht.
- 12 – 31 Dec 2019
- Members of The1 can exchange 600 points for a gift voucher worth 100 baht, instead of the normal 800 points.
There is also a plethora of special activities throughout December, such as a Cosplay parade, the first famous picture drawings in Phuket, a Swing Dance show from a team of Russian dancers, a Christmas Market and a 12-meter tall Christmas Tree. Enjoy taking photos at this new landmark offering “The Finest Living Experience” to the people of Phuket during the festive season.
