SALA Phuket Resort and Spa, a pool villa resort on Mai Khao Beach, is inviting guests to step off the beaten track and uncover Phuket’s hidden gems with a new series of local guided tours.
Located on Phuket’s northwest coast, away from the bustling tourist areas further south, SALA Phuket allows guests to experience a side of Phuket that is often hidden from view. Capitalising on this spectacular secluded setting, the resort has now launched Forgotten Phuket, a unique activity programme that allows guests to lift the lid on this popular resort island.
Available to all guests, Forgotten Phuket excursions are guided by SALA Seekers – members of the resort’s in-house team who are familiar with the Mai Khao area. Harnessing their native knowledge, the SALA Seekers will take guests on in-depth tours of the local area, including visits to locations that are far not on the traditional tourist trails.
During these authentic explorations, SALA guests will have an opportunity to mingle with locals and discover life in remote communities. For example, guests could visit a nearby school that teaches the ancient southern Thai style of Manohra dancing, or markets where Phuket villagers purchase their everyday goods.
Alternatively, guests seeking a more active excursion could take a kayaking trip through the mangrove forests under Sarasin Bridge, which connects Phuket with the Thai mainland, or head out for a coastal walk, purchasing fresh coconuts from local vendors and stopping for a picnic under the towering pines of Phang Nga.
SALA’s guests typically seek out bespoke experiences rather than mass tourism attractions, and the Forgotten Phuket tours will enable them to make a deeper connection with their destination. Also, by encouraging guests to purchase goods from local vendors, these excursions will directly benefit the local community in Mai Khao.
“Phuket now welcomes more than nine million international visitors every year, but how many leave the island with a true understanding of its rich culture and heritage? At SALA Phuket, we always try to introduce guests to the charm of the island; the Forgotten Phuket programme will allow our naturally curious visitors to look under the surface of this popular destination and gain a genuine insight into real life on Phuket,” commented Anthony Van Sleeuwen, General Manager, SALA Phuket.
For more information about SALA Phuket browse: salahospitality.com/phuket